The Little Tree

Translation of "Le Petit Arbre", a pantoum.

 

The little tree sways in the wind,

The broken leaves rustle in the street,

The flowers of the tree can never bloom

Because the people poison them with their smoke.

The broken leaves rustle in the street,

Choking as they go,

Because the people poison them with their smoke.

The people stumble as they walk,

Choking as they go.

The flowers of the tree can never bloom,

The people stumble as they walk,

And the little tree sways in the wind.

 

Author's Note

It sounds better in French, I promise.

Reviews

[fireblossom]

I believe you. This poem is simple and direct. It is Renoir (French reference for your dearness)...a clear story, simple and yet impressionistic.

I like your writing.

[alternative_be]

I'll read the French version as well, I promise. Your message comes across loud and clear though.
I feel for the leafs of the little tree, I feel for the ignorant people not aware that by smoking and choking the leafs, in the end they will choke themselves to death ...
You have chosen the right image to make people aware of what they are doing!

O.k. You write leaves, as plural for a leaf...
Leaves is the 3rd person singular of the verb to leave...
Other than that, I have nothing to add, just that I am very curious to read your French original and making an effort to write a review in French!

[Andromeda]

yay! i loves it! reminds me of Poe for some reason... it's like everything is dead and the little tree that's all broken and stuff is more alive than everything else...