La vague [English translation]

I am a wave, I was born

on a beach in Italy—

on a beautiful summer morning.

My beginnings were difficult;

I was not very obedient—

I was hard-pressed to hold myself up—

because children, on vacation,

with lovely indifference,

all splashed about in me.

And I, being nothing but still water,

dreamed of waves crashing on islands—

I dreamed that I was still at home.

And I, being nothing but still water,

dreamed of waves crashing on islands—

I dreamed that I was still at home.

On a beautiful day when I felt strong,

I went to swim—

me—who did not know how to swim.

I went without anything

other than a small seashell

with which I had made friends.

After I took to the sea,

I understood that heavy cargos—

very big ships came to confront me.

So, me—I did support them—

then, me—I did carry them

to a Mediterranean port.

So, me—I did support them—

then, me—I did carry them

to a Mediterranean port.

I am a wave, I was born

on a beach in Italy—

on a beautiful summer morning.

But today I am scraping—

I am bored as I clap against

the old walls of an abandoned wharf.

Mother, mother, I miss

the little deserted beach

where children enjoyed themselves at my expense.

Let the wind rise

so that I can die striking a beach

that I never met before.

And if it is not infeasible,

I would like to write my memoir

in the warm sand down there.

And if it is not infeasible,

I would like to write my memoir

in the warm sand down there.