Jean Toomer

26 December 1894 – 30 March 1967 / Washington D.C.

Portrait In Georgia

Hair--braided chestnut,
coiled like a lyncher's rope,
Eyes--fagots,
Lips--old scars, or the first red blisters,
Breath--the last sweet scent of cane,
And her slim body, white as the ash
of black flesh after flame.
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