Laurence Marie

Translation of Zachary Richard's poem "1^er août, Section III (extrait)."
Traduction du poème "1er août, Section III (extrait)" de Zachary Richard.

August 1st, 3rd section (excerpt)

Much too hot for
Early August, trees
Tired by the July heat.
Yellowed leaves, energy
Returning to the earth.
Except for the untamable oak trees
Refuge for the singing cicadas
And the web sculpting
Spiders. In their branches, ants dancing
Delicately, an end of summer ballet.
Just like the birds, I hide beneath the leaves
Searching for shade.
Looking at the white pitiless sun
Asking withered questions
How through evolution and persecution
Through life and death, how my bones, my blood,
My eyes, my balls, my head
Managed to get here? Connected by my ancestors
To the first walking man, to the first fish
Swimming in the primeval mud
Connected by my arteries to the first inkling
Of the first idea in the
Middle of the afternoon on a path
That starts in rural southwestern Louisiana
To get to wherever, connected by the choices of my
Heritage scattered behind as well
As ahead by as many accidents or by twisted fate.
Saddened by the arrogance of man
Soothed by the beauty of fields
And of trees.
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