So, Aya? We’re waiting.

excerpts from Abouet and Oubrerie’s “Aya”

photograph by A.B. Godfreed

Wash a dog’s eyes
one day it’ll bite you
I’ve come here today
to cast out all evil spirits!

For us black people
France is a land of pain,
not plenty
She’s got a hard heart, dêh!
You’re not wanted

What a hungry belly!
In the Name of Jesus,
I rebuke you!
I’ve got something cooking
Ivorian bonus

Papa… please!
Calm down… We’re coming…
|
(You cannot separate a nail from its finger)
|
I’ll tell you how
we’re going to nab that mangy dog!
Finally!

***

This piece is composed solely out of phrases taken randomly from “Aya: Love in Yop City”, a graphic novel written by Marguerite Abouet and illustrated by Clément Oubrerie (2013). This delightful compilation, which I purchased in 2014, is part one of the Aya series — as published by Drawn & Quarterly in Montreal.