It's black as charcoal. br Melting like tar. br Spread as Cuttlefish's dye. br And sharp like a carbon-tipped tool. br My black rose comes under the gloomy clouds br With a black umbrella in a black rain. br I never call that you are a black sheep. br My rare blackberry you grow in a prickly bush. br Anyway your heavy black lips murmur a sad song. br And it's bitter than a black chocolate. br br To the Brazilian authoress Maria de Jesus (for her novel 'Child of Darkness'.) Also to the young South African poetess Yonela.Mali. br Anna Julia Cooper too.