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Good morning sun of my land

how good it feels to be alive today

so much light

so much light around me

Good morning empty exercise yard

you have become familiar to me

I cross you with a lively step

and you suit me like an elegant shoe

Good morning ponderous and philosophical oxpecker

perched up there

on the wall that hides the world from me

poking at your ribcage

with distracted little movements

Good morning sparse grass in the alley

quivering in opalescent flurries

at the wind's teasing touch

Good morning great lone palm

erect on your cross-grained trunk

blooming at your peak

like a glorious tulip

Good morning sun of my land

tide of presence abolishing exile

So much light

so much light around me

***

I have a thousand reasons to live

to vanquish day-to-day death

the joy of loving you

and walking in step with hope

***

Good Morning Sun of My Land

Donald Nicholson-Smith, translation from
the French written by Abdellatif Laabi

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