(One of many possible translations* of « Chanson d’automne » by Paul Verlaine) <br /> <br /> for Sandra Feldman <br /> <br />Drawn out sobs <br />Violins <br /> of autumn <br />Wound my heart <br />Through a languor <br /> Monotonous <br /> <br />Hardly breathing <br />And turning wan, when <br /> The knell tolls, <br />I recall <br />Days gone by <br /> And I cry <br /> <br />And I have to leave <br />With the unwelcome wind <br /> Which bears me away <br />Here now, there then <br />Much as a <br /> (Wafting) Dead leaf. <br /> <br /> <br />• 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. <br /> <br />© T. Wignesan – Paris,2013<br /><br />T (no first name) Wignesan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/autumnal-dirge-transl-of-chanson-d-automne-by-paul-verlaine/
