Here is my translation of a poem by May Ayim, an African-German who committed suicide at 36.

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Unlimited and Undaunted by May Ayim

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May Ayim (Opitz) was an African-German poet who wrote bravely about issues faced being Black in Germany (Afrodeutsche). On August 9, 1996, at the age of 36, she committed suicide by leaping from a tall building in a single bound.

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A poem against German unity.

Nevertheless, I will still be an African

Even if I would like to have been German,

And will still be German,

Even if my Blackness does not suit you.

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I will go one step further

To the very edge

Where my sisters are

Where my brothers stand

Where our freedom begins.

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I will go one step further

And one step further again, and return

Whenever I want.

If I want to.

Remain unlimited and undaunted.

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Translated by John Hawkins

Authors Website: https://tantricdispositionmatrix.substack.com/

Authors Bio:

John Kendall Hawkins is an American ex-pat freelance journalist and poet currently residing in Oceania.