L'arbre noir [English translation]

This tall black tree

This sky full of smoke

In front of my

misted-up window1

This fire, burning and crackling2

All these reflections on the walls

These flowers' smell

On these dark furniture pieces

And the sound

Of raindrops

Lapping on rooftops3

At night

A setting you're familiar with4

Maybe you will remember it

Remember the fireplace

The books, so often reread

Nothing's changed, everything's the same

Though everything's different

There is a taste of sleepiness

Or sadness in the air5

I couldn't explain6

Maybe it's only time

Passing by, leaving its dust

Of dead dreams and illusions7

Maybe it's your absence, my dear

1. lit. "In front of my window / with misted-up window-panes"2. lit. "This fire that burns and crackles"3. lit. "And the sound / of these raindrops / that lap on the rooftops"4. lit. "It is a setting that you know"5. lit. "A taste of sleepiness / or sadness floats around"6. lit. "I do not know how"7. lit. "It is maybe only time / that passes and leave a dust / of dead dreams and illusions"