Une Page D'en Face.(Translation) . Poem by Michael Walker
Une Page D'en Face.(Translation) .
Derriere les paupieres le geant au ciel
est probablement aveugle, mais on ne peut savoir cela.
Cruciforme, les bras completement etendus sa robe noire tombe
tout le chemin a la cite. Ses doigts pointent
en bas a nos toits. Nous ne savons pas au courant de lui.
Il sait tout au courant de nous. Aupres du feu la chemise de nuit
de l'enfant est chauffee pour le lit. C'est un livre titre
Sous le Coucher du Soleil par Brian Stoker M.A.
la copie en toile planche verte 8vo de ma mere
a presque perdu le dos mais quelques fils tiennent,
son enfance et le mien. Dorde et baise pour la nuit,
Je ferme les yeux trop ferme sur un livre d'images
pour la veille a detendre. Enferme ou les gens
croient a eux-memes, des doigts empreints pointent en bas.
-' A Facing Page'.Allen Curnow (1911-2001) .
Allen Curnow (1911-2001)is one of New Zealand's most distinguished poets. The sonnet is seen from a child's perspective, who sees a giant drawn on the facing page. His nightgown is being warmed for bed. He shuts his eyes too tight on a picture book to awaken. He is in the world of reading, 'where people/ believe in themselves, engraved fingers point down.'
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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8/29/2026 10:36:12 AM # rel_20260827T145718Z_a0f1bd3
Great poem. Exquisite and fantastic imagery created by the poet. A pleasure to read. Thanks to Allen and Michael both. I quote from the original to which most of us can relate (description of an old book) : my mother's copy in green cloth board 8vo has nearly lost the spine but a few threads hold,
You have understood the poem perfectly. The imagery is exquisite, you are right. That thought had not occurred to me before.