# Ma Lady’s Lips Am Like de Honey explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James Weldon Johnson.

## What happens

A romantic love song set on a Southern summer night, where the speaker compares his lady's lips to honey and roses, and likens himself to a bee drawn to nectar. The scene includes strolling with Lindy Lou, a mockingbird's encouragement to kiss, and tender gestures that confirm mutual affection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Beauty

The poem celebrates romantic love and the beauty of the beloved, using natural imagery like honey, roses, and bees.

### Nature and the Divine

The Southern night, stars, moon, and mockingbird create a divine, enchanted setting for the lovers' stroll.

## Character check-ins

### Lize

Referenced as 'Lindy Lou,' the beloved lady whose lips are compared to honey and roses.

### Bird

The mockingbird that whistles and seems to urge the speaker to kiss the lady.

## Key lines

> Ma lady’s lips am like de honey, Ma lady’s lips am like de rose; An’ I’m jes like de little bee a-buzzin’ ’Round de flower wha’ de nectah grows.

My lady's lips are as sweet as honey and as beautiful as a rose; I am like a bee buzzing around the flower where the nectar grows.

_The speaker uses a bee-and-flower metaphor to express his attraction and desire to kiss his beloved._

> Seen a sparkle in her eye, Heard her heave a little sigh; Felt her kinder squeeze ma han’, ’Nuff to make me understan’.

I saw a sparkle in her eye, heard her sigh softly, and felt her squeeze my hand—enough to make me understand her feelings.

_Nonverbal cues confirm mutual romantic interest between the speaker and Lindy Lou._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_13_se/chapters/ma-lady-s-lips-am-like-de-honey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_13_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_13_se/chapters