Moon in a Summer Dawn

My translation of a poem by Philippe Jaccottet that perfectly describes a sight I am blessed to be able to enjoy here in the Swiss Alps on a regular basis at this time of year:

In the slowly brightening air
Lingers this gleaming tear
Or flickering lanterned flame 
While from the mountains’ sleep
Arises a golden haze

Hanging yet
In the balance of the dawn
Between the promised blaze
And this lost pearl

Original French:

Lune à l’aube d’été  

Dans l’air de plus en plus clair 
scintille encore cette larme
ou faible flamme dans du verre 
quand du sommeil des montagnes 
monte une vapeur dorée 

Demeure ainsi suspendue 
sur la balance de l’aube 
entre la braise promise
et cette perle perdue 

5 thoughts on “Moon in a Summer Dawn

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