Asleep In The Valley Poem by Arthur Rimbaud

Asleep In The Valley

Rating: 3.2


A small green valley where a slow stream flows
And leaves long strands of silver on the bright
Grass; from the mountaintop stream the Sun's
Rays; they fill the hollow full of light.

A soldier, very young, lies open-mouthed,
A pillow made of fern beneath his head,
Asleep; stretched in the heavy undergrowth,
Pale in his warm, green, sun-soaked bed.

His feet among the flowers, he sleeps. His smile
Is like an infant's - gentle, without guile.
Ah, Nature, keep him warm; he may catch cold.

The humming insects don't disturb his rest;
He sleeps in sunlight, one hand on his breast;
At peace. In his side there are two red holes.


Original French

Le Dormeur du Val


C'est un trou de verdure où chante une rivière
Accrochant follement aux herbes des haillons
D'argent ; où le soleil, de la montagne fière,
Luit : c'est un petit val qui mousse de rayons.

Un soldat jeune, lèvre bouche ouverte, tête nue,
Et la nuque baignant dans le frais cresson bleu,
Dort ; il est étendu dans l'herbe sous la nue,
Pâle dans son lit vert où la lumière pleut.

Les pieds dans les glaïeuls, il dort. Souriant comme
Sourirait un enfant malade, il fait un somme :
Nature, berce-le chaudement : il a froid.

Les parfums ne font pas frissonner sa narine ;
Il dort dans le soleil, la main sur sa poitrine,
Tranquille. Il a deux trous rouges au côté droit.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
ROBERT 09 December 2017

A beautiful and very sad poem. First time through I didn't think he was dead. Not till the very last line does he tell you. I felt the sadness deeply. A master work.

4 3 Reply
Susan Williams 13 May 2017

I had a feeling that last line was coming because the author made certain the reader would feel a certain uneasiness, hear a certain tone- - the 3rd poem I have read by him- -and the 3rd poem I find an incredible write.

2 4 Reply
shyamal barman 31 October 2015

Go through

2 3 Reply
Susanna pearson 24 May 2018

I can feel the peace and hear the insects

0 1 Reply
Sachidananda Panda 12 July 2020

" The humming insects don't disturb his rest; He sleeps in sunlight, one hand on his breast; At peace. In his side there are two red holes." so simple yet powerful expression evokes pity and respect

0 1 Reply
ABHISHEK Mondal 02 November 2018

Auspicious ❤️

0 0 Reply
Chhaton Ghosh 08 August 2018

This poem is of sacrifice and tragidy

0 1 Reply
sujan das 06 August 2018

very beautiful poem.

0 1 Reply
Arkadip Basu Mallick 05 June 2018

Very Beautiful poem with a sad theme❤️

1 1 Reply
Arthur Rimbaud

Arthur Rimbaud

Charleville, Ardennes
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