Here:

Some beads for the wave of your tresses

Bead them in hard, shiny against the jet black of your greying hair

Slaves were traded for them, fingers bled to thread them

They shine – little colourful skulls

Of the day of the dead from Mexico

I come from far, here: the beads

Plait them in the jet black of your graying hair

So I can learn to love you

Here:

Some tears for the dimple of your cheek

Run them slow, shiny against the narrow of your chin

Infants were killed for them, palms were leathered to collect them

They shine – sun-struck crystals

From the saltpans and the pampas

I come from far, here: the tears

Rain them softly against the narrow of your chin

So I can learn to love you

Here:

Some soot for your brow and lashes

Texture it in deep, a dark henna against your haunting eyes

Outcasts were starved for them, joints were cracked to scoop them

They haunt – tiny mirages of the desert

From the pit bogs and the crags of the equator

I come from far, here: the soot

Craft it in against your haunting eyes

So I can learn to love you

Here:

Some red pearls for your ears

Hang them low, crimson treasures from your softest lobes

Naked divers lost lungs for them, eardrums exploded to collect them

They pulse – little ripe pomegranate-seeds

From the reefs and the swells of the Red Sea

I come from far, here: the pearls

Pierce them through and hang them from your softest lobes

So I can learn to love you

Here is the soft pink for your lips

Smooth it over, soft and aromatic scent for a future kiss

Jews and pigs were boiled for them, chemists lost their skin for them

They entice – the madness between a heart and flower

From the vats and cauldrons of the subcontracted East

I come from far, here: the soft pink

Caress it on softly, an aromatic scent for a future kiss

So I can learn to love you

Leave your breasts bare

There is no mindless youth or loot to hide there

Leave them just there

Just there

So I can learn to love you