From the Artist's Sketchbook
by Annette M'Baye

Perfectly round.
Perfectly black.
No. . . not entirely black.
He has that bluish-white at the edge of his eyes
And his beautiful lips
Open upon a smile of expensive pearls.

* * *

Round and dusky-headed,
Round bellied
Black baby, fearlessly
Offer your unpristine hand to the daylight,
Say hello, fearlessly, to your life.
Translated by Translated from the French by D.A. Powell

From Volume 192, Number 1, April 2008

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