Paris Latin Quarter by Femi Osofisan (Okinba Launko)

Sweet Marie-Anne, she thought

Being French, intellectual and brunette

Entitled her, in any Parisian cafe

To prompt service—and she was

Probably right, (as the Policeman

Later confirmed)—always provided

The situation was normal, and

She herself did not let the race down.

So that afternoon, she said to me:

“Sit by me, mon cheri, and order

A drink!”—Well! The waiter came

As was his duty, only to stand aghast

At the unspeakable scandal of a

Full-blooded French woman kissing

This merde of a black man openly and

Full on the lips!—Purebred son of

The Galls, his first impulse

Was to smash his tray at the black head

And shriek out for help to the army of riot

Police permanently stationed on the streets

Of the Latin Quarter…—But

He was a non-violent man, and besides,

He had the customer’s tip to think of.

So he turned to me, swallowing hard, and

With controlled French politeness, he said:

“M’sieur, please sit OPPOSITE the lady—

“Yes, with the sacre table between you, face

To face—Or mon cul, dammit, I shall

Not serve you!”—And I was still wiping off

Her lipstick, wondering what to do, when my lady

Spoke, her face red with indignation: “But

You’re mistaken! This one’s not like the rest,

“Can’t you see! He’s a bon sauvage, and has

Written such brilliant essays in impeccable French

“On the phallus of—pardon, the merits of Negritude!

Show him my dear!” she turned to me, “Show how well

“You quote Molière, Corneille, and—”But the waiter

Was already smiling and bowing:I had passed my test.

Femi Osofisan (Okinba Launko)

Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan is a Nigerian professor and writer born on June 16, 1946 in Ogun State, Nigeria, who is well-known for his literary works that criticize societal issues and incorporate African traditional performances and surrealism in some of his plays. His plays often revolve around the struggle between good and evil. He is a didactic writer who aims to rectify the decaying state of society through his works. Additionally, he has written poetry under the pen name Okinba Launko.