Evacuate all thought and fix the mind
upon a golden guideline, balanced, yet
uncertain still, yet still, yet still upset.
Enshrine a moment’s dream, Time left behind.
Love, beauty, truth, to harmony, soul, bind
within your heart, all echo else forget.
Sing, laugh and cry alone, on chance course set.
In smile, word, sigh and look your art has signed
exquisite canvas, fearful, charming, - find
within a teardrop priceless pearl reset.
The poet’s passion here on Earth is met,
his worth, his life, ambitions, are defined.
Author notes
Offered here as the orignal is not readily accessible to most whose mother tongue is English
Translation : Alfred de MUSSET 1810_1857
Qu’est-ce que la Poésie ?
Chasser tout souvenir et fixer la pensée
Sur un belaxe d’or, la tenir balancée,
Incertaine, inquiète, immobile pourtant;
Eterniser peut-être un rêve d’un instant;
Aimer le vrai, le beau, chercher leur harmonie;
Ecouter dans son coeur l’écho de son génie;
Chanter, rire, pleurer, seul, sans but, au hasard;
D’un sourire, d’un mot, d’un soupir, d’un regard
Faire un travail exquis, plein de crainte et de charme;
Faire une perle d’une larme:
Du poète ici-bas voilà la passion
Voilà son bien, sa vie, et son ambition
In a list
Courtesy welcome and extended
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Outstanding
This is both simple and charming. You have written a fine translation here of what is a sensitive and delightful poem that is soothing to the ear. Maybe echoes instead of echo- that is the only change I can suggest. I liked the last couplet very much:
The poet’s passion here on Earth is met,
his worth, his life, ambitions, are defined.
As poets we are addicted to writing and it is something that is a part of us. Loved this poem. Keep writing
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I would almost have to say that I love the English version better than the original French, and I do wonder if I have been corrupted by mostly reading English now. What a shame that would be to all "Silver Poets", and one of these days I will catch up on them as well. In the meantime I thank you for offering us this chance here on the site...
within your heart, all echo else forget.
Sing, laugh and cry alone, on chance course set.
all echo else forget-----and a true poet does forget all else, and beauty in words touches in echoes
thank you,
*hug
reenie
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Excellent poem here. There is such depth and feeling to this, one that many can relate to. Well done.
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lovely sonnet here with lots of insight into the torturous mind of a poet I have the belief most all poets are emotionally unstable in some manner and this unstable nature creates the extreme emotional responce needed to truly be creative nice job on this
Love and light,
Blaze -
A gorgeous piece- and so very true. Excellent work!
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Oh, my:
"In smile, word, sigh and look your art has signed
exquisite canvas, fearful, charming..." It is true that our poetry defines us. The soul settles itself on white and then we pass it out in order that others may know us. Like my mantra:
I write..."for no other reason but for this, that others might know I have not lived this life as if a dream." - Richard Hooker.
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"Love, beauty, truth, to harmony, soul, bind
within your heart, all echo else forget."
You gots dat right, Scribe. 
Beautifully described, my Friend...Good luck in the contest, Jonathan...
Wanda
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"a teardrop priceless pearl reset" What a lovely line, Jonathan. Pearls being layered just like poetry...and to regain what is of value in life's experience. Goals are the guideline? You are winging this morning! ~ K
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