courage (15) joëlle sambi
In these troubled times, we asked a number of authors we admire what ‘courage’ means to them. In the coming weeks, you can read their answers here, in the form of a poem, a memory, an anecdote or a more philosophical reflection.
Brussels is us.
Brussels is this, Brussels is that.
Brussels is you, is her, is them, is us.
Brussels is me.
A horde of volunteers who endeavour and who, through the force of their desire, transform craters into volcanos; boundless fields of people who are dreamers, resourceful; a magma of partygoers from whom nothing can be taken away.
Nothing, not ever.
Not the music nor the party, not the party nor the dance, not the dance nor the pint, nor the rain, nor the grey, nor the shouts.
That’s Brussels.
Giant slaloms between shame and denial, great views so we can pretend; a politics of hide-and-seek, of secrets, of cover-ups, en kundelupin.*
Brussels na biso
Brussels is us.
Brow raised, breasts hot. Our want of better, our fiery desires despite – in spite of – it all.
In spite of the cracks, the cesurae, the destitution, the estrangement.
Our paving stones? Skies worth of stars!
Our farandoles? Universes populated by bold clowns.
Despite the mouths of wolves whose teeth chatter.
That’s Brussels. Brussels eza.
Bruxelles na biso.
Perfect, neat, unchangeable, gaunt, cruel, deceptive.
Brussels, you’re loud, a joker, you kid around, keep your finger on the horn.
Brussels.
City of noise and idiosyncratic odours.
Its twitches and charms, magnified.
Brussels is us.
Brussels eza. Brussels na biso.
Brussels stay strong, rise up. Brussels, unchanging, proud, rise up.
Brussels stay strong, tirelessly proud. Rise up.
Brussels is us. Brussels, is that all? Bruxelles na biso.
* kundelupin (lingala slang): in secret
Translated from the French by Daniella Shreir
Joëlle Sambi Nzeba grew up between Brussels and Kinshasa. A journalist, writer, feminist and LGBT activist, she has distinguished herself across short and long forms (Le monde est gueule de chèvre), as well as poetry and slam.
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