The speaker is an African poet who grew up sheltered by the Black woman. Now an adult, he observes her with clarity and creates lyric poetry in response to her inspiration. He maintains a deep connection to his African heritage and uses his voice to immortalize the woman's beauty while resisting colonial narratives.

The Black woman acts as a nurturing maternal presence, a muse, and the living embodiment of the African continent. She possesses an intoxicating physical presence, with skin resembling the oiled princes of Mali and a deep contralto voice. She represents the rich, regal history of precolonial Africa and the enduring hope for its future.

The conqueror represents the European colonizing forces that have invaded and exploited the African continent. This presence materializes through violence and appropriation, specifically depicted as hands forcing a native drum to moan in pain. The conqueror seeks to dominate both the land and its cultural expression.