Polo Kouman / Polo Speaks

Henri-Michel Yere, an Ivoirian and Swiss poet born in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, is the author of three collections. His second collection, Mil Neuf Cent Quatre-Vingt-Dix, was short-listed for the Ivoire Prize for Francophone Writing, while the original bilingual edition of Polo kouman / Polo parle was a finalist for the Grand Prix Litteraire d'Afrique Noire and a winner of the Rotary-PEN Club International Award for Poetry. Yere received a BA in history and politics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, followed by an MA in African studies and a PhD in contemporary history from the University of Basel, Switzerland. Todd Fredson is a poet, a critic, and a translator of West African literature. His most recent book, a translation of Bete poet Azo Vauguy's work, the double-translation Zakwato & Logledou's Peril, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle's Barrios Book in Translation Prize. Fredson's work has been supported by Fulbright and NEA fellowships, a Virginia G. Piper Fellowship for Cultural Exchange, and other kindnesses. He holds a PhD in creative writing and literature from the University of Southern California. Learn more at toddfredson.com.

Translator's Note: What's to Come-Language Origin Story Translations I. Polo kouman / Polo Speaks II. Les gbes de Devant / Tomorrow's Hard Truths III. Gban-gban / The Clash IV. En meme temps est mieux / Better to Just Get on with It Nouchi and French I. Polo kouman / Polo parle II. Les gbes de Devant / Les verites de Demain III. Gban-gban / L'affrontement IV. En meme temps est mieux / Resolution Acknowledgments

"A groundbreaking translation that opens up new worlds. Yere writes these poems in both French and Nouchi, and the language difference is, among other things, a reflection of the brilliant ways that new artistic and linguistic forms emerge in response to colonial impositions. By bringing us right into what cannot be translated, Fredson demonstrates that the constraints and limitations of translation are a source of experimental possibility, which he approaches respectfully, innovatively, and with acrobatic excellency." - Daniel Borzutzky