Anna mé (My Mother)

(Dedicated to my lovely mother)

Her kind, heart penetrating words have been her sword

With which she slays all kinds of thorny thoughts

Out of her gullible children; her very beloved

She's my pride

My ride or die

Silence is loud and clear in its meaning to her

So she hears her children

Even when they are silent

God gave me to her

And her to me

That I may be cared for

And not be in grief

That I may be schooled rightly

And not be misguided

That I rise up sweet

In a world so bitter

She bore me out of severe pain

Yet kissed my dirty forehead

And made me taste "dabino"

And proclaimed to me the name of my Lord

That I should conceive His greatness

And told me the true meaning of success

Salaah...

That I know now

For the earlier the better

That I do not become lost

In the tempting distractions I shall find

Coming to me from even behind

She wore the face of happiness

With a painful smile on her face

Giving me sweets while she fed on bitters

Passing through unsung hardships

All so that I live happily

All so that I may be nourished

Mé vê annâ mé (I thank you my mother)