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Laure-Anne Bosselaar: “Breakfast Morning” by Jacques Prévert
He poured the coffee
Into the cup
He poured the milk
Into the cup of coffee
He put the sugar
Into the coffee with milk
He stirred it
With the little spoon
He drank the coffee with milk
And put down the cup
Without speaking to me
He lit a cigarette
He made smoke
Circles in the air
He put the ashes
Into the ashtray
Without speaking to me
Without looking at me
He got up
He put
His hat on his head
He put on his raincoat
Because it was raining
And he left
Into the rain
Without a word
Without looking at me
And I, I put
My face in my hands
And wept.
~~~~
Translation copyright 2024 Laure-Anne Bosselaar
Jacques Prévert (1900-1977) was a celebrated French poet and screenwriter known for his accessible and lyrical style. He became prominent in the Surrealist movement and collaborated with many artists. His poetry collection “Paroles” (1945) remains a classic, reflecting themes of love and social justice. Prévert also wrote screenplays for iconic films like “Les Enfants du Paradis”. His work has left a lasting impact on French literature and cinema.
Laure-Anne Bosselaar is a Belgian-American poet, translator, professor, and former poet laureate of Santa Barbara, California. Her collections of poetry include Lately: New and Selected Poems (Sungold, 2024).
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If I had fallen upon this poem without knowing it was Prevert and translated – it wouldn’t have occurred to me, seamless and ageless, and those last lines…
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Yes, the last lines seal the deal.
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My French is not great, so until now I couldn’t quite get what Prevert was doing with his seemingly simple poems. Now I see he’s dramatizing. Thanks for your translation, Laure-Anne—revelatory for me.
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Oh!💔
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Beautiful, Laure-Anne
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I’m happy many liked this translation. It motivates me to translate more of his work — thanks for the nudge…
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Hi Laure-Anne,
Just to say I was browsing about & came upon this one again, which I’d read before, when it first posted at VP — liked it then. Still like it.
I remember a poet friend, from years back, who was Venezuelan & had studied French poetry, talking about Prévert . . . uniqueness of his tone . . . or something like that. I really like this one. What it says without saying it.
Thanks & be well,
Mike
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Powerful yet simple, reminding us that life includes more than politics.
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What an excellent translation, what a devastating poem.
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It really is devastating the way that the precise mundane details build up to the powerful ending.
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LOVE this poem. What a wonderful translation!💕
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The simple poems can be the most powerful. This one is so matter-of-fact in its gradual buildup to devastation. I like how the poem turns at the end with the comma between I, I. Without knowing French, the poem works all on its own. Grand job.
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Thank you
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I love Prevert and have ached for fine translations. My French is poor. Thank you, Laure-Anne
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I’ve always thought of him as a screenwriter. But I love this poem as well.
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Love this so much!!
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I do too!
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❤️
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