1 min read 69 words Updated Apr 13, 2026 Created Apr 13, 2026

Countee Cullen

With two white roses on her breasts,
   White candles at head and feet,
Dark Madonna of the grave she rests;
   Lord Death has found her sweet.

Her mother pawned her wedding ring
   To lay her out in white;
She’d be so proud she’d dance and sing
   To see herself tonight.


appeared in 동광 vol. 30 (1932/01) as 껌은 여자의 죽엄, tl. 한흑구
accessed 2022/10/31, from poets.org