Not a woman
who sleeps in the cathedral
from sunrise to sunset,
making the holy writ her pillow.

Far from it!

Not a woman
who veils her entire body
from her crown to her feet,
praying five times daily.

Far from it!

Not a woman
who with the weirdest ecstasy
with beads round her ankles,
dances the ballet of Olokun.

Far from it!

Not a fanatic.
Not a heretic.
Not a lunatic.

The woman I should take
is a virtuous wife;
who, beyond creed and deed,
has a gold-heart full of truth,
hands full of diligence,
eyes full of compassion,
and a mouth full of wisdom.