In Paris they are singing

By Jacques Roubaud
Tranlsated by Claire Nashar.

In Paris the LARKS are singing EDITH-PIAF is singing, the birds

The EGRETS are singing, the BUNTINGS are singing

In the LOCUST TREES, the CORNFLOWERS, the GOOD-SEEDS, the WOODS, THICKET, FOG

And the DUCKLINGS in the BUSHES, the CAMELIAS, the NASTURTIUMS, they are singing, they are singing,

The DOVE sings in the CHERRY ORCHARD, in the BEAUTIFUL-LEAVES, the FIG TREE

The CROW sings the FERNS, the WISTERIA, the HYDRANGEAS, the IRISES

Sings the SWAN in the JASMIN, the DAFFODILS, the HEATHER, the LILACS

In THE POND while singing the GIRLS wade, beneath the CHESTNUT TREES,

THE QUAIL sings in the WILD CHERRY, the MULBERRY TREES, the LITTLE-FIELDS, O the POPLARS where the WOODPECKERS sing, and the PLAIN, and the PEAR TREE, and the MEADOWS

O the FIELD, the PRIMROSES, the PLUM TREES, the ROSE BUSHES full of singing ORTOLANS

In the BROOK, on the PATH, in the SUN, in the GOLDEN-SUN, how they sing!

In the SYCAMORES, the LINDEN TREES, the VINES, the TULIPS, the MORNING GLORIES

The PELICAN, he sings, so tired from his long voyage

The BIRDS, all the BIRDS sing in the streets of Paris

Click here to listen to Jacques Roubaud reading this poem in French on Lyrikline.org.