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Saint-John Perse
Dearer to my heart than horology is poetry.
Having been rereading lately some Saint-John Perse, I thought I'd share the last page of Chronique (in French & English translation), which I find very beautiful. It's a poem on old age written in 1959 (he was 72), just before being awarded the 1960 Nobel Prize in Literature.
And I just added a few photos to make the post more lively.
Have a nice day.
Saint-John Perse (1887-1975) with his wife Dorothy Milburn Russell (1907-1985)
credi: Sjperse.org
End of Chronique (1959 - translation by Robert Fitzgerald)
Bronze mask of Saint-John Perse by Andras Beck (1969)
credit: Résonance[s]
Saint-John Perse
Dearer to my heart than horology is poetry. Having been rereading lately some Saint-John Perse, I thought I'd share the last page of Chronique (in French & English translation), which I find very beautiful. It's a poem on old age written in 1959 (he was 7...
Saint John Perse
I didn’t expect to hear about Saint-John Perse here, It even makes me break my silence. I’m from and still live on the island where he was born. Here for you, the museum named after him. ...
Thank you so much for this photo (I will keep it in my SJP file)!
I've never been in Guadeloupe, but would love to someday. And I love the poems where SJP evokes his childhood there. Best, Emmanuel
Je dois confesser n’avoir jamais lu de SJP
On l’étudie pas à l’école. Vis-tu à Paris ?
Trop de choses hermétiques dans sa poésie, je crois.
Mais c'est quand même grâce à ma professeure de français de 1ère que je l'ai découvert.
He's certainly not an easy poet to read, but I find him quite fascinating.
Sometimes, it feels to me almost like American abstract expressionist painting (Joan Mitchell or Jackson Pollock). Hermetic but immensely powerful. My favorite pieces would be Praises (the specific section in the Praises book) and Chronique . Praises evok...
Refreshing post, thank you 🙏🏽
Agree, based on the above, his poetry is complex. But for those who enjoy, it’s that depth of expression which can be very impactful.
Thank you so much for this post…
I have never heard of him before, nor do I read much poetry, but this is a beautiful passage (in your post), certainly resonates with me, and I will try to explore more of his writings.
I'm glad this passage spoke to you!
He's not an easy poet to read: sometimes, it's a little like admiring abstract expressionist painting!
what a strange and beautiful surprise
"Etroits sont les vaisseaux, étroite notre couche. Immense l’étendue des eaux, plus vaste notre empire Aux chambres closes du désir." I was a big fan of SJP then I got older & became lazy ;-) buying vintage watches & cars
