T Wignesan Poet Dramatic Monologue

Autumnal Dirge: Translation of Paul Verlaine's Chanson D'Automne

Autumnal Dirge

(One of many possible translations* of « Chanson d’automne » by Paul Verlaine)

	for Sandra Feldman

Drawn out sobs
Violins
   of autumn
Wound my heart
Through a languor
    Monotonous

Hardly breathing
And turning wan, when
    The knell tolls,
I recall
Days gone by
   And I cry

And I have to leave
With the unwelcome wind
   Which bears me away
Here now, there then
Much as  a
   (Wafting) Dead leaf.

•	This is as close to a literal translation as I can get, for I do think the original visual structure ought not to be disturbed and as long as the poet’s « meaning » (Intentional fallacy/Affective fallacy notwithstanding), if any, be not overly distorted.

© T. Wignesan – Paris, 2013

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment