“Common Presence” (Rene Char)

December 29, 2009

This little gem turned up in John Ladd’s Paradise Tossed blog (which I highly recommend) and I have to agree with John that it is stunning:

“Common Presence”

You’re in a rush to write
As if you were late for life
If that’s how it is provide company to your sources
Hurry
Hurry to communicate
Your share of wonders rebellion benevolence
You’re really late for life
Unutterable life
The only thing in the end you agree to join
That’s denied you every day by beings and things
From whom you wrest a few meager scraps here and there
After merciless struggles
After that there’s only submissive agony rough conclusion
If you meet death during your labor
Receive it like a sweating neck welcomes a dry handkerchief
By bowing
If you want to laugh
Offer your submission
Never your arms
You were created for rare occasions
Change disappear without regret
At the will of the suave rigor
District after district the liquidation of the world goes on

Without interruption
Without distraction

Let the dust swarm
None will reveal your union.

–René Char (translated by Charles Guenther)

Tags: cpb, poetry, rene char