Soleils couchants

 
I heard this poem in a foreign tongue,
And instantly fell in love with the sound,
I memorized the verse like it was a song,
Proud of the ability I had found.

I struggle with the pronunciation,
My homely diction may not be the best,
Yet the poem gives me a fascination,
Because I like to recite it to myself.

I began to discover other works and text,
And pursued more of this foreign tongue,
Now I’m fixated on these silhouettes,
Like an old romantic who is feeling young.

Maybe it’s because it’s all so picturesque,
My heart longs to chase sunsets in paradise,
The beautiful verse has so much finesse,
When I recite it to myself unless otherwise…

-     -  

Une aube affaiblie
Verse par les champs
La mélancolie
Des soleils couchants.

La mélancolie
Berce de doux chants
Mon coeur qui s'oublie
Aux soleils couchants.

Et d'étranges rêves,
Comme des soleils
Couchants, sur les grèves,
Fantômes vermeils,

Défilent sans trêves,
Défilent, pareils
A de grands soleils
Couchants sur les grèves.

-      Paul Verlaine