Far from his homeland, a writer takes up his pen to recount the passage of time; his experiences, with their joys and sorrows, over ten years. These words help him ease the pain of exile. It is also this city, Paris, which he loves, that allows him to bear the hardships, the banishment. In this journal, there is a serene chronicle of a Parisian decade: it often deals with literature, encounters, nostalgia, questions, current events in France, and news of those fighting for a democratic Algeria. Poetry is sometimes the only remedy for dark days; poetry is everywhere, in the city streets, on the faces of women he loves or who flee. Poetry proves to be a way of being when a man wants to remain free and true to his principles. There are also surprises in this journal: the writer's unexpected encounters with those who visit Paris, such as this snapshot with the Queen of England. With heartfelt words, the writer shares his readings, his wanderings, and attempts to grasp the ever-present possibility of happiness. For humankind adapts to everything; we manage to invent an inner world that allows us to transcend the fury of the world around us. This journal is a beautiful stroll through Paris, and also a journey into the depths of a writer's soul. A soul that feels close to all humanity, especially those who suffer most.