It happens that one pronounces
a few words just for oneself
alone on this strange earth
then the small white flower
...
The sneck's aye sweirt and ayont
a doverin cratur wi a lit o the lowe
they ken ilka gadge on the bowe
...
Jean Follain (1903–1971) was born in Canisy, in Normandy. His first book of poems is La Main chaude (1933). He published eight subsequent volumes of poetry, as well as prose work.)
Speech Alone
It happens that one pronounces
a few words just for oneself
alone on this strange earth
then the small white flower
the pebble like all those that went before
the sprig of stubble
find themselves re-united
at the foot of the gate
which one opens slowly
to enter the house of clay
while chairs, table, cupboard,
blaze in a sun of glory.