(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

T (no first name) Wignesan

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/autumnal-dirge-transl-of-chanson-d-automne-by-paul-verlaine/