Dounia

Each dawn announces
a new day
The moon shines down on
different nights
Beyond the hours flowing
inexorably by
No-one can see, even from the
highest point of existence,
What tomorrow will be
Days that are honey-sweet?
Days that taste of gall?

Each dawn announces a new day
The moon shines down on
different nights
Days resemble one another
But do not contain
the same instants
Instants as sweet as honey
Instants that taste of gall
Hours of glory
Hours of disappointment

Have you heard of Soundiata
Sogolon Diata, Naré Makan
Diata, Mandé Diata?
He is one of those
who built the story
Of an Africa alive
and deserving of hope
of which we are still proud
The story of an Africa we miss


Rokia Traoré, Dounia