The poem was written by the Nigerian poet Wole Soyinka.
The poem is about the poet’s search for a rented house in London.
Its title comes from a telephone conversation with the landlady.
The house was in a good location and had reasonable rent.
The landlady did not live in the same building.
The poet honestly told the landlady that he was from Africa.
The landlady asked him about the colour of his skin.
The poet was shocked and noticed the red bus, telephone booth, and post box around him.
The landlady again asked whether he was dark or very light.
The poet said that his passport described him as “West African Sepia.”
He said that his face was brunette in colour.
He said that his palms and the soles of his feet were peroxide blonde.
He jokingly said that his bottom had become raven black because of sitting.
He asked the landlady if she wanted to see his body colours herself.
The poem discusses racism, identity, discrimination, anger, and hypocrisy.
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