The Color Black (Black Pride) by Magdala Compere

Art by Ojo Agi

The Color Black (Black Pride)

Moon marked and touched by sun 
my magic is unwritten
but when the sea turns back
it will leave my shape behind. 
I seek no favor
untouched by blood
unrelenting as the curse of love 
permanent as my errors
or my pride
I do not mix
love with pity
nor hate with scorn
and if you would know me
look into the entrails of Uranus 
where the restless oceans pound.

I do not dwell
within my birth nor my divinities 
who am ageless and half-grown 
and still seeking
my sisters
witches in Dahomey
wear me inside their coiled cloths 
as our mother did
mourning.


I have been woman
for a long time
beware my smile
I am treacherous with old magic 
and the noon's new fury
with all your wide futures 
promised
I am
woman
and not white. 

Magdala Compere