Impromptu - What Is Poetry? - Translation Alfred De Musset Impromptu Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

IMPROMPTU - WHAT IS POETRY?
Evacuate all thought. Fix focus. Mind's
eye gauging guiltless golden guideline yet
way still uncertain, still, yet still upset.
Enshrine divinest dream, Time left behind.
Love, beauty, truth in harmony, soul binds
to open heart, aught else, flaw fraught, forget.
Strong song advances, dances, chance course set,
from outset heart charts art exquisite signed,
canvas charming or disarming - finds
within a teardropp priceless pearl reset.
Poetic passion here on Earth is met,
worth's girth, life and ambitions are defined.

18 August 1991 revised 20 April 2010

robi03_0445_muss01_0001 PTX_IXX
For previous version see below

Impromptu

What is Poetry?


Evacuate all thought and fix the mind
upon a golden guideline, balanced, yet
uncertain still, yet still, yet still upset.
Enshrine a moment’s dream, Time left behind.
Love, beauty, truth, to harmony, soul, bind
within your heart, all echo else forget.
Sing, laugh and cry alone, on chance course set.
In smile, word, sigh and look your art has signed
exquisite canvas, fearful, charming, - find
with a teardropp priceless pearl reset.
The poet’s passion here on Earth is met,
his worth, his life, ambitions, are defined.


18 August 1991
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Impromptu


Qu’est-ce que la Poésie?



Chasser tout souvenir et fixer la pensée
Sur un belaxe d’or, la tenir balancée,
Incertaine, inquiète, immobile pourtant;
Eterniser peut-être un rêve d’un instant;
Aimer le vrai, le beau, chercher leur harmonie;
Ecouter dans son coeur l’écho de son génie;
Chanter, rire, pleurer, seul, sans but, au hasard;
D’un sourire, d’un mot, d’un soupir, d’un regard
Faire un travail exquis, plein de crainte et de charme;
Faire une perle d’une larme:
Du poète ici-bas voilà la passion
Voilà son bien, sa vie, et son ambition



Alfred de MUSSET 1810_1857