“Partir, c’est être seul et courageux”

This is the first book that Daniel Éro publishes. And it is dedicated to Love, with a big L. Immigrant arrived in France a few years ago, because of Love, only the latter gave him the strength to move forward, despite the documentation’s difficulties and the separation from loved ones. It was Love that also gave him the power to continue creating and, ultimately, to publish.

His heroes are people of all colors, because Love not only accepts all colors but, above all, declares them loudly and clearly.

His subjects are just as vast. “Through the central theme of Love, I allowed myself to approach the themes of immigration, COVID-19, hypocrisy, cultural diversity, the importance of education and the family, commitment and duty, through tributes to Colonel Arnaud Beltrame and Mamadou Gassama”.

But who is Daniel Traoré? Where does he come from and for what reasons? What is his path in France?

-My name is Traore Djakaridja Daniel, known by the pseudonym Daniel Éro in my writing profession. I chose a pseudonym to mark the difference between who I am and who I become by wearing the writer’s clothes. For me, a writer is an artist who puts himself at the service of the society with which he/she shares his art.

For me, living in France, the country of freedom and human rights is the perfect opportunity to fulfill my dreams: to write in the country of Victor Hugo, to work in humanitarian, and to have my doctorate in law.

Daniel Éro

My wife was in France, studying for her thesis. We had a beautiful little girl and, wanting to be near my two roses, I also moved to France. So that my wife could finalize her studies and realize her dreams and, on the other hand, offer our children a better environment for their development and education.

For me, living in France, the country of freedom and human rights is the perfect opportunity to fulfill my dreams: to write in the country of Victor Hugo, to work in humanitarian, and to have my doctorate in law.

What were the difficulties, but also the positive people and events and that touched you the most here in France? ?

The difficulties encountered are diverse, but common to many immigrants. Like adaptation to the new environment, obtaining a permanent residence permit, a job, decent housing, nostalgia for the country, separation from those who have remained in our countries of origin and, today, obviously Covid-19. These are also themes that I address in my collection of poetry.

I got to know the profound France, that of fraternity and freedom. Where people encourage you in the realization of your projects and accompany you, if possible, in their realization.

When we talk about the theme of migration in France, what astonishes you the most?

Poor knowledge of the law and its interpretation. Although the law is the same for everyone, the conditions for granting residence permits seem to differ from one department to another as if there were legally recognized quotas of foreigners for each department. Some people talk about immigration policies. But, if we can regularize a person, who was undocumented till then, because that person did a service to France, why not give everyone a chance to demonstrate what they can do for France?

Talking about getting a chance, why this book?

This book is an old dream, an old project. I've always written poetry without ever publishing. It was for my wife and my family in general, then, with the Covid- 19’s isolation, I felt the need of doing something to invite people to more compassion, mutual aid and love.

And thanks to the help of my wife and my mother-in-law, this dream became true.

Why poetry?

Because I love poetry, especially the classical well-paced one (because for me it is, before and after all, Art). Then, poetry is music without voice, if I can put it that way, that touches, sensitizes, challenges, highlights and gives a voice to people by being their spokesperson.

This is the reason why, through the central theme of Love, I allowed myself to approach the themes of immigration, Covid-19, hypocrisy, cultural diversity, the importance of education, family, commitment and duty through tributes to Colonel Arnaud Beltrame and Mamadou Gassama.

Who and what is your inspiration?

I am inspired by my experiences and my dreams as in "I have a dream" by Martin Luther King.

For me, a poet uses his experience to aspire to a better tomorrow. I am inspired by Victor Hugo, Lamartine, Alfred De Musset, Birago Diop.

My poetry is based on the expression of deep and true feelings. When I write a poem and the reader does not feel anything, it is a failure.

What are your projects here in France?

To build a better future for my family. As other foreigners have been able to, to fully live my writing passion in this country which loves writers. To finish my doctorate and to learn to better put myself at the service of humanity by starting by my host land: France.

And your message, Daniel?

It's Love. We must give back to Love its true place in our human relationships. To be able to simply love the other by not necessarily expecting something in return. Our society is by now far too materialistic. We always love for something. But, I have faith in Love, hence the title of my collection of poems "From one Love to another Love". It can be seen as a short summary of what not to do and what to do to give Love ".

Painful rebirth

I say goodbye to a life with all my memories

 I say goodbye to all friendships and families

 I say goodbye to myself without failing

 I say goodbye to everything and everyone, I must go.

 

 To leave is to die a little

People will certainly have a hard time, but will eventually forget about me

 I will have a hard time, but eventually I will accept

 Their daily life will banish me from its routine

I will suffer but I must look for my bread.

 

 To leave is to be alone

Human warmth and sharing are absent at the worst times

 No hand to wipe away the tears that will often visit us

No shoulder to lean on when we stumble

Alone, in this new world, we are reinventing.

 

To leave is to be courageous

To engage without certainty is scary and it is also to leave

No magic ball will tell the future and we go

Maybe the worst awaits us to keep us from laughing

Only courage dwells in us and we go away.

 

To leave is to hope

May tomorrow be better than today

That on our new path, we bond with happiness

May the new destination be a fearless meadow

That we are baptized by a beautiful fine rain.

 

To leave is to be reborn

The phoenix rises from its ashes

I will be reborn from my funeral

My past will become a driving force, somehow

I will be reborn even stronger, with my momentum to take.

 Daniel Éro "From one Love to another Love".

D’un amour à un autre amour

* This article is produced as part of the “Migration, Youth and Internet” project. It is written by Elda Spaho Bleta, volunteer of the local group Oxfam in Nancy, who paid close attention to the information given. The sources of the information are cited, and when personal advice is given, it is the sole responsibility of the editor. If, despite her attention, an error had slipped into the document, please report it to her by writing to [email protected]. This article is published with the funds of the French Development Agency, Grand Est Solidarités et Coopérations pour le Développement (GESCOD), and with the support of Oxfam France. The content of the articles does not engage the structures previously named.