For thee, I shall not die, Woman of high fame and name; Foolish men thou mayest slay I and they are not the same. Why should I expire For the fire of an eye, Slender waist or swan-like limb, Is't for them that I should die? The round breasts, the fresh skin, Cheeks crimson, hair so long and rich; Indeed, indeed, I shall not die, Please God, not I, for any such. The golden hair, the forehead thin, The chaste mien, the gracious ease, The rounded heel, the languid tone, -- Fools alone find death from these. Thy sharp wit, thy perfect calm, Thy thin palm like foam o' the sea; Thy white neck, thy blue eye, I shall not die for thee. Woman, graceful as the swan, A wise man did nurture me. Little palm, white neck, bright eye, I shall not die for ye. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWILIGHT COMES by HAYDEN CARRUTH WOMAN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AN EXPLANATION by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DOMESDAY BOOK: IRMA LEESE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS AFTER DIVORCE; FOR NAHID SARMAD by KAREN SWENSON |