Bilitis

One woman envelops herself in white wool.

Another clothes herself in silk and gold.

Another covers herself in flowers,

green leaves and grapes.

I, I can only live naked.

My lover, take me as I am:

without dress or jewels or sandals,

here is Bilitis alone.

My hair is black with its blackness

and my lips are red with their redness.

My curls float around me free

and round like feathers.

Take me just as my mother made me

in a night of love long ago,

and if I am pleasing to you thus,

do not forget to tell me so.