Rue De Seine
The Poem Rue De Seine is depicted below, with its original french text, and its english translation to the right of it. In this poem Prévert describes, him witnessing a encounter at the Rue De Seine at night. He witnesses a lady, shaking a man that is described to be wearing a raincoat, and hat. The women is shaking the man, and he becomes distressed. The encounter is rushed, a frenzy of panic. Prévert writes “l’homme certainement a envie de patir… de disparaître…de mourir...”, which translates to, “the man certainly wants to get away, to disappear…to die…” (Prévert, pg.12-13, 14-15). This line, that brings one a deep sadness to read is challenged by its opposite when Prévert states, “mais la femme a une furieuse envie de vivre, et sa voix, sa voix qui chuchote, on ne peut pas ne pas l’entendre, c’est une plainte… un ordre… un cri… tellement avide cette voix… et triste, et vivante…” which in english has been translated to, “but the women has a furious desire to live, and her voice, her whispering voice, one cannot hear it, it’s a moan… an order… a cry… so eager this voice, and sad, and living…” (Prêvert, pg. 12-13, 16-25). These lines specifically draw one into this pieces, because written there is desperation, fear, and pain. The french word of this poem is written beautifully, that when one reads the translation in english for understanding, you can almost feel the sorrow within. Deeper into the poem Prévert describes the conversation between the man and women, that the women is asking one question, one statement over and over again. Prévert says “Pierre dis-moi la vérité, Pierre dis-moi la vérité, je veux tout savoir,” which in english is, Pierre tell me the truth, Pierre tell me the truth, I want to know it all” (Prêvert, pg. 12-13). This poem really has one analyze the importance of the truth, and the car of maintaining a relationship.
Rue De Seine, from Paroles by Jacques Prévert
