Leaving my dear countrymade me sad, made me missall that was worth rememberingthe food like foutouthe food like attiekethe food like aloko.

Leaving my African countrymade me mourn, made me long forthe people like the Baoulethe people like the Senefouthe people like the Dan.

Leaving Cote d’Ivoiremade me sour, made me cry forthe places like Grand Bassamthe places like my grandfather’s village —N’Gattadolikrothe places like Abidjan.

Leaving Paparesting in his gravemade me dispirited, made me despairing.I miss himListening to Louis Armstrong,reading the poetry of Leopold Senghor,calling me his cherie.