Songs of Bilitis - Benjamin Adamah

THE IMPARTIAL ONE
As soon as he enters the room, no matter what he be (and can it matter?):
"Behold," I say to the slave, "what a handsome man! and how happy a courtesan
is."
I call him Adonis, Ares or Herakles, according to his face, or the Old Man of the
Seas, if his locks are silver-pale. And then what disdain I show for frivolous
youth!
"Ah!" I say, "if tomorrow I had no need to pay my florist or my goldsmith, how I
should love to say to you: 'I do not want your gold! I am your slave, impassioned!'"
Then, when he has clasped his arms behind my shoulders, I see a handsome
boatman, like an image most divine, passing across the starry sky of my
transparent lids.
CLEAR WATER OF THE BASIN
"Clear water of the basin, silent mirror, tell me of my beauty. --Bilitis, or whoever
you may be, Tethys 132 or mayhap lovely Amphitrite, you are beautiful, oh, know
it well!
"Your face bends over, 'neath your heavy hair, thick with perfumes and entwined
flowers. Your tender lids can scarcely open, and your thighs are wearied by the
thrusts of love.
"Your body, weighted by your heavy breasts, displays fine nail-marks and the
deep blue scars made by ardent kisses. Your arms are reddened by the fast
embrace. Each wrinkle in your skin has been beloved."
--"Clear water of the basin, your freshness brings repose. Receive me, who am
truly tired. Bear away the tints upon my cheeks, the perspiration of my belly and
the memory of the night.
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