A small green valley where a slow stream flows
And leaves long strands of silver on the bright
Grass; from the mountaintop stream the Sun's
Rays; they fill the hollow full of light.
A soldier, very young, lies open-mouthed,
A pillow made of fern beneath his head,
Asleep; stretched in the heavy undergrowth,
Pale in his warm, green, sun-soaked bed.
His feet among the flowers, he sleeps. His smile
Is like an infant's - gentle, without guile.
Ah, Nature, keep him warm; he may catch cold.
The humming insects don't disturb his rest;
He sleeps in sunlight, one hand on his breast;
At peace. In his side there are two red holes.
Original French
Le Dormeur du Val
C'est un trou de verdure où chante une rivière
Accrochant follement aux herbes des haillons
D'argent ; où le soleil, de la montagne fière,
Luit : c'est un petit val qui mousse de rayons.
Un soldat jeune, lèvre bouche ouverte, tête nue,
Et la nuque baignant dans le frais cresson bleu,
Dort ; il est étendu dans l'herbe sous la nue,
Pâle dans son lit vert où la lumière pleut.
Les pieds dans les glaïeuls, il dort. Souriant comme
Sourirait un enfant malade, il fait un somme :
Nature, berce-le chaudement : il a froid.
Les parfums ne font pas frissonner sa narine ;
Il dort dans le soleil, la main sur sa poitrine,
Tranquille. Il a deux trous rouges au côté droit.
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Comments
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I have found no essays on this.
From guest Ritz (contact)
Currently, I'm going a research paper on this but I've found no sources for Rimbaud. Maybe I'm not looking in the right Spot?
MOD MESSAGE
Please elucidate. Their are very many sources for Rimbaud including our own! -
modern day comparison
From guest Charleston (contact)
the song larrikin love- happy as annie is based on this poem, it is very similar in the way it starts of setting a nice scene they shows the reality of the situation. the style of music is very original as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6qSjbR2XZ4 -
Genius
From guest Johann (contact)
One of the most beautiful poem ever written. You start from a general view of the valley, on a glorious day. It ends in the horror of the close up : two gunshot wounds. The usage of t colors is splendid. Opens up with green, goes to the blues,ends in red. Peace versus violence of war. Written at sixteen years of age, and so perfect. One should learn french only to hear the music of the poem. -
Ah, Nature, keep him warm; he may catch cold.
I'd like to think that's a metaphor; a simple but sad question put to the oblivion. what is after death sort of thing. good or bad? or just decay like all the grass and flowers?
overreaching probably.
anyway a great poem. I wish I could read him in french. -
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