Oriki Oshun (Yoruba, Translated by Ulli Beier)
Brass and parrot feathers on velvet skin. White cowrie shells on black buttocks. Her eyes sparkle in the forest she is the wisdom of the river. Where the doctor failed she cures with fresh water, where medicine is impotent she cures with cool water.
She cures the child and does not charge the father. She feeds the barren woman with honey and her dry body swells up like a juicy palm fruit.
Oh how sweet is the touch of Oshun’s hand!
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