On my school books

On my desk and trees

On the sand and snow

I write your name

 

On all pages read

On all white pages

Stone sand paper or ashes

I write your name

 

On the jungle and desert

On the nests and gorses

On the echo of my childhood

I write your name

 

On the marvels of nights

On the white bread of days

On the married seasons

I write your name

 

On the fields on the horizon

On the wings of birds

And on the mill of shadows

I write your name

 

On each puff of dawn

On the sea on the boats

On the demential mountain

I write your name

 

On health regained

On risk that is no more

On hope without memories

I write your name

 

And by the strength of one word

I start over my life

I was born to know you

To name you

 

Liberty.

 

Paul éluard.

 

 

 

The original poem is in French, the translation is mine.

 

—Daniel Guibord