This is dedicated to African mothers

On this day which we are celebrating all the mothers across the world here is a poem dedicated to them, written by Camara Laye

TO MY MOTHER
(an English translation by Deborah Weagel, University of New Mexico)

 Black woman, African woman, O mother, I think of you …

O Dâman, O mother,
who carried me on your back, who nursed me,
who governed by first steps,
who opened my eyes to the beauties of the world, I think of you …

 Woman of the fields, woman of the rivers, woman of the great river, O

mother, I think of you …

O Dâman, O mother, who wiped my tears,
who cheered up my heart,
who patiently dealt with my caprices,
how I would love to still be near you.

Simple woman, woman of resignation, O mother, I think of you.

O Dâman, Dâman of the great family of blacksmiths, my thoughts are

always of you, they accompany me with every step,
O Dâman, my mother, how I would love to still feel your warmth,
to be your child that is close to you …
Black woman, African woman, O mother, thank you; thank you for all
that you have done for me, your son, so far away yet so close to you!

Author: Camara LAYE