Leopold Sedar Senghor

 Leopold Sedar Senghor

                                               
                                Leopold Sedar Senghor

1. Léopold Sédar Senghor was a Senegalese poet, politician, philosopher, scholar, statesman and cultural theorist who for two decades served as the first president of Senegal. He made history as the first West African to graduate from the Sorbonne and teach in a French university. Among his numerous publications are five volumes of poetry and many critical and philosophical essays on African culture.  
3. Born: October 9, 1906, Joal-Fadiouth, Senegal
4. Died: December 20, 2001, Verson, France
5. Presidential term: September 6, 1960 – December 31, 1980
6. Spouse: Colette Hubert Senghor (m. 1957–2001), Ginette Eboue (m. 1948–1956)
7. Education: University of Paris.
8. That is a brief history about the poet. Below is one of his poems that might interest you.

    

    I will pronounce your name 

 I will pronounce your name, Naett, I will declaim you, Naett!

Naett, your name is mild like cinnamon, it is the fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps

Naett, your name is the sugared clarity of blooming coffee trees

And it resembles the savannah, that blossoms forth under the masculine ardour of the midday sun.

Name of dew, fresher than shadows of tamarind, 

Fresher even than the short dusk, when the heat of the day is silenced. 

Naett, that is the dry tornado, the hard clap of lightning

Naett, coin of gold, shining coal, you my night, my sun! …

I am your hero, and now I have become your sorcerer, in order to pronounce your names.

Princess of Elissa, banished from Futa on the fateful day. 

                          

Ah! that poem brings back old memories woundn't you say? Well it does for me.

Now please permit me to ask this: 

What did you deduced from the tone of this poem? 

Share your thoughts with me.