[A l’avant des vagues sans orthographe]

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Khal Torabully

A l’avant des vagues sans orthographe

je me rappelle ton ombre

passant sur ces statues

pour lire la vraie mort.

Ma chair est plus froide,

ton rêve en miniature plus vrai.

Attends, à travers la brise

Attends !

Avant que je ne parte

par la porte d’azur.

 

[At the prow of wordless waves]

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Translated by Nancy Naomi Carlson

At the prow of wordless waves

I remember your shadow

passing over these statues

to read the real death.

My flesh is colder,

your dream in miniature, more real.

Wait, through the breeze.

Wait!

Before I depart

through the azure door.

 

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