XXXVII BILITIS
Mitchell S. (Mitchell Starrett) Buck translation
ONE woman may envelop herself in white wool. Another may clothe herself in silk and gold. Another cover herself with flowers, with green leaves and grapes.
Me, I enjoy life only when naked. My lover, take me as I am: without robes or jewels or sandals. Here is Bilitis, quite alone.
My hair is black with its own blackness and my lips red of their own color. My locks float about me, free and round, like feathers.
Take me as my mother made me in a night of love long past, and if I please thee so, forget not to tell me.