I am from the African Crane

By: Djamila

I am from the African Crane.
I play in the African Grain.
I am from Niger.
From the colors black and pink.

I am from the cries and the screams
to the tears and the smiles.
I am from sadness because my aunt is an angel flying in the sky. R.I.P.
I am from where the rain falls outside
To where to rain falls down my face.
I am from seeing my aunts’ face when I look out the window.

I am from my homegirls, my bobo , my heart
And a pile of lost friends.
I am from parties to sleepovers.
From Mamoudou saying “a gun car fa” * and Zienabou saying “naga wa”*
I am from loving parents.
I am from food like McDonalds and my Momeys food, “harou da hay”
I am from dreaming about becoming a teacher,
From brothers and sisters being a pain up your you know what.





I am from the most beautiful itchy cloth in the world, from false fabrics that itch more than the reals one.
I am from where the rain falls and bangs and breaks those ols trees my father used to climb. When I go to Africa, I shall do the same.

I am from having an empty stomach for 36 days of fasting for Eudal Fatir*
From flowers designed on my hands with henna.
I am from my father, Mamaoudou, saying you need to fast, you are a big girl, you are old enough to fast.

I am from people saying. “I love you”
to people saying “I hate you.”
You know what I say,
I say,
Do you love me or do you hate me?
That is the question.

A gun car fa*- If you don’t get away form me- I am going to do something.
Naga wa*- I am going to hurt you.
Eudal Fatir*- Celebration in the Muslim faith.