Here is a translation of “Adam” by Delaveau (translated by me, Webster Young, Founder) . I have shown it to the poet and we are still considering it. If any of our French speaking members would like to comment on any points, please do! it may help…

(from  Instants d’eternite faillible , Editions Gallimard, 2004)

 

ADAM

Philippe Delaveau   

 

And the peace that stirs our foliage in the evening air

inspires a trust in these visited places…

no more an infinity blank for dreams – or their strange gods –

but here in the happy interval between waters that drop sedately

to the earth that gathers them, and the sweetness of day,

 

We have received for a dwelling the fleeting present –

this fragile home one divines in the grass and the dew,

in the trees that are always one species or form…

 

Just so the world had prospered Adam on the first day

of your peregrination among things,

when, eyes raised and feet planted on the ground,

you breathed in this color of peace –

which knows all the perfumes and usages of silence –

and you heard the movement of Elohim

invisible and visible within His order inconceivable.

 

(English translation by Webster Young)

 

ADAM  (original French version)

 

Et la paix qui frole nos feuillages dans l’air du soir

m’inspire une confiance pour ces lieux visites

non plus l’infini blanc du reve ou ses dieux etranges

mais ici dans l’intervalle heureux de l’eau qui goutte posement

la terre qui la recueille et la douceur du jour

 

Nous avons recu pour l’habiter le present fugace

cette maison fragile qu’on devine dans l’herbe et la rosee

les arbres qui sont chaque fois de meme espece et de forme unique

 

Comme le monde etait prospere Adam au premier jour

de ta peregrination parmi les choses

lorsque les yeux leves et les pieds etablis dans la terre

tu respirais cette couleur de paix

qui connait tous les parfums et l’emploi du silence

et tu entendais le mouvement d”Elohim

invisible et visible selon son ordre inconcevable

 

Philippe Delaveau