Driss R. Temsamani

Those were the days that I will never forget
By Driss R. Temsamani

Today I felt a strange nostalgia from the past. It was that song that I played when I woke-up. Like a heavy rock sinking in the ocean of my memories, I looked up and oh! How sweet it felt to go back, back to those days that I will never forget.

As I drifted slowly, I was invaded by warm felling. I could hear familiar music, I could see friendly faces, and then a weird sensation took over my face! It was a smile, a smile that I have not felt since those days that I will never forget.

Do you remember?  When you were 16? The friends you used to have, the music you listened to, the cloths you wore and how you brushed your hair.
Remember the nights of Ramadan, Eid Parties, and the Sunday pick-nicks with the family? And then summer, do you remember? Your first innocent crush? Was it your neighbor, a school mate? Did they live overseas? Remember the first look? I bet you have a song that reminds you of those days. Can you hear it now? You remember how many times and how long you stood in the street waiting for that person to cross your way? And the stories you made up about why you got home so late that day? Remember the movies that you watched and the hero that you thought were you? We were sad, we were happy and those were the days that I will never forget.

Do you remember the days of sitting on the porch of the house with few friends and making plans for the future and where you were going to go after high school? The mere thought of dreaming made us feel like we were there already. Some talked about France, others Belgium, Canada, few dreamed about the USA but no one had an idea where they will end-up. Remember? Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew-up? A pilot, a doctor, a teacher, an army general or a business man. No one had an idea but it felt good to dream and those were the days and I will never forget.

Too young to have a driver license and your dad’s car was always missing. Full to the max, windows down, the music loud, and every one singing with the tapes without knowing the words. It was all good, no one knew better and those were the days and I will never forget.

Weddings, who can forget? The way you got dressed, the way you walked and danced. The way you looked at people and spoke. You sure acted older and mature. After all it was a way to meet your dream love. And then that magic moment when you walked by your mother while she was sitting with your future in-law and she says “Oh! You have grown so much and you are so good looking.” Those words will never go away from my ears and those were the days and I will never forget.

And how can we forget about the first time we skipped school. Now that was an adventure. Did you go to the beach? Or a party? Was it the movies or just a hangout in a building lobby? Oh! Those were the days and I will never forget.

Do you remember your first letter? First phone call with that special some one? First fasting of the 27th of Ramadan? First field trip with school? Remember Loosing that special someone? When morocco played in the world cup? Remember when you felt that every one did not understand and the only one that cared was your best friend? Ah how those are the days that I will never forget.

I will never forget, my father’s blessing before I went to my final BAC test, my mother’s prayer when I left the house to go to school every morning, my grandmother’s hug when I was sick, my sister’s tears on her wedding night. I will never forget my high school math teacher, the funny guy who made his life hell during class, the smell of the classroom, the breaks we got between classes and the subjects we used to discuss and argue about. I will never forget the walks we took before and after school, the warm bread and pastries we ate while we rushed home before 6, the short stop at the little shops and how much I wanted those new fashion Levis jeans. I will not forget the summer, the sun, the surf and the 2 to 6 PM afternoon parties. We were the stars and the producers, what a feeling! Those were the days and I will never forget.

Today I felt a strange nostalgia from the past. It was that song that I played when I woke-up. Like a bubble in the bottom of the ocean of my memories I rose up while looking down. How sad it felt to leave those days that I will never forget.

Weld Bladi
By Driss R. Temsamani

Back in the days
The dark days of la marseillaise
She stood firm and proud
Watching him loose his life in the crowd
Born from a dream
Raised in the sun
Aged in the fury
Free like the win
History is written all over your skin
You are the strength
You are the pride
You are our destiny
You are Weld Bladi

For The Love of Bent Bladi
By Driss R. Temsamani

When I am with you; Oh...
How hours become seconds
Take my hand, Bent Bladi
Take me away because tonight
You and I will be forever one.

The city is much smaller for us
We have walked every street and there isn’t much to see
Getting lost in your eyes is my only hope Bent Bladi

So much to discover..
My journey with you has just begun
If they ever find me on the moon
No one should be surprised
Your kisses and tender love have thought me to fly Bent Bladi

What has been years since you first smiled
Have felt like days to this face that looks old and tired
Moroccan pride, the walk, the talk, everything but the promise you want
Selfish I have been to want your company
Hard I should have been working to provide the ring and what you desire
You deserve a better life, and I can’t watch someone else give it to you Bent Bladi

I will now go, before the day comes
There is much to do tonight
My flame will burn strong and bright for you Bent Bladi

Today, I will make everything all right
I climb the ghost ship without looking behind
I know you are there
Firm feet in the sand
Washed by the tears of my hope
I cry to the song of your goodbye while I smile thinking that
One day soon, bent Bladi will be mine

It has been fours hours
No lights, no sounds and no signs of gold
I am afraid Bent Bladi my passage is getting rough
Oh! Please god for the love
Let me make it so I can be with her in this life

My thought was cut while holding to your prayer
Solid ground gave away
Dark, cold water and your name loud I called hoping for you to hear
Something has gone wrong Bent Bladi

Never has a tear felt so warm on a cold cheek
With desperate hands I fight to swim back to your love
Please throw me a sign that you are there Bent Bladi!

Asleep you must be tonight
Nothing to hold on to
 I slowly fall In the darkness of what was supposed to be bright
Rushing to meet the ultimate punishment
losing Bent Bladi as my wife Never to reunite

Busy your hand was Bent Bladi
Not throwing me hopes to get back
How Sad I will not be to know that
While my life was taking away
A world of class was sitting at your side

In my wet grave peaceful I will rest
With many broken hopes a heart joins tonight

This is the story of misfortune, lost dreams, perished souls and the love of Bent Bladi.

The Sounds of Bladi
By Driss R. Temsamani

A song, a conversation, a meal, or just the feel. Nothing puts out the fire; nothing quenches my thirst; nothing like a breeze against my skin to clear my mind for me to sing.

I crossed the oceans to be away from you, only to realize that I miss you. Away, I will always be a stranger but when I go home, like magic, all my worries you take.

I cry and I cry, wondering why so lonely I feel. My worries, I want to forget, and lonely, I don’t want to be anymore.

I call on you, Morocco, land of my people, land of my ancestors, land of the proud and the happy. Rise, Morocco, rise. Come and listen: today, I sing for you.

When I feel down and nothing can change my mood, I beg you to make me tea, I beg you to let me be loose and break free. Nothing makes me so alive as the music of Bladi; Morocco land of Melhoun, Shaabi, and Gharnati.

Is that Rap music I hear? Please, put on some Stati or Benani. It has been a long time since I felt happy. Nothing makes me so alive as the music of Bladi; Morocco land of Melhoun, Shaabi, and Gharnati.

Summertime, moonlight and Rai music, Lah, lah, don’t stop. I want to hear some Mami or Berkani. Strangers and friends, everyone smiling, sitting in a café, sipping on some tea and no one is wahdani. Nothing makes me so alive as the music of Bladi; Morocco land of Melhoun, Shaabi, and Gharnati.

I saw her at my cousin’s wedding and my body lit on fire. I almost lost my mind if it was not for Shakara.
He said, “Bent bladi ajbouni aynek,” and she looked at me and smiled. That’s when my heart started racing and my mind went wild. Nothing makes me so alive as the music of Bladi; Morocco land of Melhoun, Shaabi, and Gharnati.

The night was almost over until someone popped a tape and fired, “Dorbiha ya shibani dorbiha!” they all screamed until they got tired. The crowed formed a circle and was never quiet until the arous and arousa came out and to everyone smiled. Nothing makes me so alive as the music of Bladi; Morocco land of Melhoun, Shaabi, and Gharnati.
May god protects you Morocco. Land of my people, land of the proud and the happy.