Why not Black? - a poem by Cherno Omar Barry

Why not Black?

By Cherno Omar Barry

Slippery eel joins the world it’s like

Youth emerging smiling

Crying for the pleasurable pains of the earth

An argument she has just begun

That which is between Good and Evil

Good reigns

On years of culture and rupture

Blooms her to a smashing rosebud

Epoch of joy and youthful age

Savouring the juices

Full of happiness

In pearls of laughter

Years mount fast the ladder of age

New stage develops

Men, both the old and the young

Skim her with fear and consternation

The devils beauty she carries

Her natural gift of beauty?

Preponderant

Pride, audacity

She does aught

Corrodes the skin a shoddy one

Beauty dying

Opprobrium

Joyful world melts

Butterflies avoid the evil smelling flower

Moths avoid the dying flame

Men’s reprisal, reprehensible girl

Evil in her kismet

Pride of natural colour death!