N'Téri [English translation]

Humbly to love and accept the other for what they are :

The consideration you show for my choices and principles

Is the most beautiful gift you could possibly give me.

In loves that have lost their meaning

Games of power, jealousy and meanness

Made our transient lives ugly.

To each their allocated time. The content of that time is up to us,

How we fill the banal shells that we are.

The friendship that binds us is beautiful

But would it know how to withstand intolerance?

I find our relationship enchanting

But would it know how to withstand meanness?

Would we not be better with each other

If we knew how to get over the fear of the other that keeps us apart?

What would this world be in its diversity?

And in our capacity to respect that diversity?

What would our lives be like without difference?

Dear friend, do you recall our endless good chats of long ago?

When I think of them, I tell myself that quite some time has flowed since then!

To each of life’s chapters its own realities, to each being their love.

Dear friend, let’s move on to other chapters

Dear friend, let’s make use of our time…

Dear friend, let us share the path of humanity

When I think of it, I tell myself that my time is passing

How to make the best of it is up to me!

• Artist:Rokia Traoré
• Album:Beautiful Africa (2013)