Letter from Léo

^{Léopoldville, 17 February 1966}

Dear Mother,

             I imagine how much you’ve suffered

                                                   with no word from me

for three months.

                                                   I suffered

knowing                      what you could have feared.

                                                              I went

—no—was sent

     to a remote province.

The local authorities there

                                                did everything they could

                                                           to make

our lives miserable.

                                               They did not like Haitians.

They cut

     our communication with the exterior.

      Our letters
                        were blocked.

      We were, in effect, prisoners.

                                             I was finally able to get out

                        of that cursed place.

      If everything

      works out, I’ll stay in Léo.

      If Léo gives us trouble,

                        I’ll go to Germany

      to look for work
                        and study.

      If this doesn’t work

                   I’ll will go

                          to the UNITED STATES.

      Otherwise,

                   I will return home.

      Dear mother

                   my account has not been updated

      I can send you nothing right now.

                   Send me Gérard’s address in Germany.

                                     Cable it as soon as you can.

      I wrote Serge, you, and Edouard,

                   each two letters from Inongo. They were,

                   no doubt, confiscated at Inongo.

      Now I am at the address above.

                                  While waiting for your news,

      receive Dear Mother,

            the affection and kisses of your son

                   who has never stopped thinking of you.

 

      Rodney