Poems of Love and Longing
Let Us Pretend
Let us pretend
We are in Ivory Coast
In the village of Bonduku.
Let us pretend
I am a Baoulé woman who brings
Home fresh meat wrapped in leaves
And you are a mahogany statue
My spirit spouse.
I put my mouth to your ear and whisper
My sorrows,
You listen.
Your lashes over your half-lidded eyes
Your mouth broad and finely cut
You listen and you stay.
You are my spirit spouse.
You receive me when I need you.
I breathe in your warm laughter,
And you remember everything
Like elephants do.
:: Design by Waterman
:: Logo woodcut by Barbara Leventhal-Stern
