Hajar-Al-Aswad Poem by muideen olawale jimoh

Where have you been?

That it took me long to find thee

Lost in a Hausa romance scene

Or swamped by a swarm of king bees.



But, Hausa you are not

Neither a queen bee you are

I’m lost in thought

Of the origin of this black star.



Whoever says black is beautiful

Makes an understatement

How can you be beautiful?

When you surpass beauty’s testament.



Your curvature leaves the hour glass in envy

A contest it dare not start, nor think of winning

You leave the wolves in frenzy

And this poet a weakling.



Your beautiful eyes, a replica of the smiling moon

This cast a glow upon my heart

Like the shade of the cactus blooming in June

Is a sheer miracle to look at.



The sparkle of your twin dimple at night

Like two silver coins upon a threshold

A beautiful delight

For a child to behold.



A marvel to touch

By the hand behind these words

But a caress of such

Would be met by your eyes’ wrath.



I could liken you to a burning candle,

A wonder to look at

And a disaster when mishandled

As a burnt heart is the aftermath.



Your flawless black beauty

Like the perfected art

Of enchanting African poetry

Rendered by heart.



Like hajar-al-aswad

Kissed by virtuous men and women

Holy in pristine swab

Amongst black beauties, you are the doyenne.



I do not have your love,

But I’m lost without it

Like a long lost dove

Farther away from home, with every heartbeat.


(hajar-al-aswad is arabic for 'the black stone', it is found in mecca.