I painted my eyes with black antimony

I girded myself with amulets.

I will satisfy my desire,
you my slender boy.

I walk behind the wall.

I have covered my bossom.

I shall knead coloured clay.



I shall paint the house of my friend,
O my slender boy.

I shall take my piece of silver
I will buy silk.

I will gird myself with amulets

I will satisfy my desire
the horn of antimony in my hand,
Oh my slender boy!

Bagirmi poem from African Poetry:An Anthology of Traditional African Poems ed by Ulli Beier