The Young Fools -- Paul Verlaine

Guest poem submitted by Aditi Balasubramaniam:

(Poem #1562) The Young Fools High-heels struggling with a full-length dress So that, between the wind and the terrain, At times a glimmering ankle would be seen, And gone too soon. We liked that foolishness. Sometimes a jealous insect's sting Bothered the necks of beauties beneath the branches. White napes revealed in sudden flashes Were a feast for young eyes wild gazing. Evening fell, ambiguous autumn evening, The women who hung dreaming on our arms Whispered, in low voices, words that had such charms That our souls were left quivering and singing. -- Paul Verlaine

        Translated by A.S. Kline

Paul Verlaine was one of the Parnassian poets of 19th century France and was
known, among other things, for the very Bohemian life he led. I love the way
this poem reflects that. I have included the original poem:

 "Les Ingénus"

 Les hauts talons luttaient avec les longues jupes,
 En sorte que, selon le terrain et le vent,
 Parfois luisaient des bas de jambes, trop souvent
 Interceptés ! - et nous aimions ce jeu de dupes.

 Parfois aussi le dard d'un insecte jaloux
 Inquiétait le col des belles sous les branches,
 Et c'étaient des éclairs soudains de nuques blanches,
 Et ce régal comblait nos jeunes yeux de fous.

 Le soir tombait, un soir équivoque d'automne :
 Les belles, se pendant rêveuses à nos bras,
 Dirent alors des mots si spécieux, tout bas,
 Que notre âme, depuis ce temps, tremble et s'étonne.

        -- Paul Verlaine

More on Verlaine is to be found at http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/verlaine.htm.

Aditi.