Beautifully

Inspired by Song of Songs 1:5-9.


I am beautiful, though I'm not
        white as a gull.
            The hot
sun burnt my face and neck and back.
  I am beautifully black.
  I am blackly beautiful.

Black Kedar's tents made from the coat
        of deep (not dull!)
            black goat—
fine as hangings on Shlomo's rack.
  I am beautifully black.
  I am blackly beautiful.

My brothers' vineyards were my lot
        to keep; I full
            forgot
my own, beneath their whip's sharp crack.
  I am beautifully black.
  I am blackly beautiful.


Why should I cover with a coat,
        or a veil pull
            o'er throat
and face, with but an eye-crack.
  I am beautifully black.
  I am blackly beautiful.

With my black goats I'll seek your spot,
        past the white skull
            I'll trot,
following the white sheep's track.
  I am beautifully black.
  I am blackly beautiful.