About Me

French Instructor at the U of Minnesota,

French PhD candidate

A.A.S in Paralegal Studies

B.A. in English

Freelance Translator & Web-Designer

Full-time daddy/husband

Strong believer in the integration of technology in education.

Bonjour

bud

In this beautiful poem, French poet, Paul Geraldy, evokes the notion of freedom. Through the imagery of a little bud, he shows us that even the smallest living creature in Nature aspires to this basic universal right. I then say to you: “Bonjour” :-)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Bonjour

Comme un diable au fond de sa boîte,    Like devil at the bottom of his box,
Le bourgeon s’est tenu caché…
   The bud kept itself hidden…
Mais dans sa prison trop étroite
    But in its too narrow prison
Il baille et voudrait respirer.
   It yawns and would like to breathe.

Il entend des chants, des bruits d’ailes,    It can hear songs, wings flapping
Il a soif de grand jour et d’air…
    It is thirsty for broad daylight and air…
Il voudrait savoir les nouvelles,
   It would like to know the news,
Il fait craquer son corset vert.
   It cracks its green corset

Puis, d’un geste brusque, il déchire    Then, in a sudden gesture, it tears (open)
Son habit étroit et trop court
   Its tight outfit and too short
“Enfin, se dit-il, je respire,
   “At last, it says, I breath,
Je vis, je suis libre… bonjour !”
   I live, I am free…good morning!”

Paul Géraldy
(1885-1983)

Bonjour

Comme un diable au fond de sa boîte, Like devil at the bottom of his box,
Le bourgeon s’est tenu caché…
The bud kept itself hidden…
Mais dans sa prison trop étroite
But in its too narrow prison
Il baille et voudrait respirer.
It yawns and would like to breathe.

Il entend des chants, des bruits d’ailes, It can hear songs, wings flapping
Il a soif de grand jour et d’air…
It is thirsty for broad daylight and air
Il voudrait savoir les nouvelles,
It would like to know the news,
Il fait craquer son corset vert.
It cracks its green corset

Puis, d’un geste brusque, il déchire Then, in a sudden gesture, it tears (open)
Son habit étroit et trop court
Its tight outfit and too short
“Enfin, se dit-il, je respire,
“At last, it says, I breath,
Je vis, je suis libre… bonjour !”
I live, I am free…good morning!”

Paul Géraldy
(1885-1983)

Bookmark and Share

You must be logged in to post a comment.