Jacques Prévert (1900-1977) is a much-celebrated French poet. Here's a translation of his poem 'Dejeuner du matin' - written in extremely simple language, and one that touches me deeply:
He poured the coffee
In the cup
He put the milk
In the cup of coffee
He put sugar
In the café au lait
With a little spoon
He stirred
He drank the café au lait
And he put back the cup
Without speaking to me
He lit
A cigarette
He made circles
With the smoke
He put the ashes
In the ash-tray
Without speaking to me
Without looking at me
he rose
He put
His hat on his head
He put on his raincoat
Because it rained
And he left
Without a word
Without looking at me
And me I took
My head in my hand
And I rained
He poured the coffee
In the cup
He put the milk
In the cup of coffee
He put sugar
In the café au lait
With a little spoon
He stirred
He drank the café au lait
And he put back the cup
Without speaking to me
He lit
A cigarette
He made circles
With the smoke
He put the ashes
In the ash-tray
Without speaking to me
Without looking at me
he rose
He put
His hat on his head
He put on his raincoat
Because it rained
And he left
Without a word
Without looking at me
And me I took
My head in my hand
And I rained
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