Black Woman

Don’t knock at my door, little child,
      I cannot let you in,
You know not what a world this is
      Of cruelty and sin.
Wait in the still eternity
      Until I come to you,
The world is cruel, cruel, child,
      I cannot let you in!

Don’t knock at my heart, little one,
      I cannot bear the pain
Of turning deaf-ear to your call
      Time and time again!
You do not know the monster men
      Inhabiting the earth,
Be still, be still, my precious child,
      I must not give you birth!