Lovely

The Peasant Declares His Love
Emile Roumer

High-yellow of my heart, with breasts like tangerines,
you taste better to me than eggplant stuffed with crab,
you are the tripe in my pepper-pot,
the dumpling in my peas, my tea of aromatic herbs.
You are the corned beef whose customhouse is my heart,
my mush with syrup that trickles down the throat.
You're a steaming dish, mushroom cooked with rice,
crisp potato fries, and little fish fried brown .
My hankering for love follows you wherever you go.
Your bottom is a gorgeous basket brimming with fruits and meat.

Roumer was born in Haiti in 1908. He was educated in France and wrote poetry for only a few short years- 1930-1935. This poem has been translated from the French by John Peale Bishop.