I dreamt of that day for so long, and at times despaired it would ever happen.
One year on, and I still have the same feeling of pride and disbelief when I look at the cover and tell myself that it is true, I have published not one, but two novels!
But if October now reminds me of the publication of my first novel, it is also melancholic...It's the approach of winter with dead leaves swirling in blustery winds and darkening skies.
Whenever I think of Autumn poems, Paul Verlaine's 'Chanson d'Automne' always springs to my mind first.
Les sanglots longs
Des violons
De l’automne
Blessent mon coeur
D’une langueur
Monotone.
I also love 'L'Automne' by Alphonse de Lamartine
Je suis d’un pas rêveur le sentier solitaire,
J’aime à revoir encor, pour la dernière fois,
Ce soleil pâlissant, dont la faible lumière
Perce à peine à mes pieds l’obscurité des bois !
Oui, dans ces jours d’automne où la nature expire,
A ses regards voilés, je trouve plus d’attraits,
C’est l’adieu d’un ami, c’est le dernier sourire
Des lèvres que la mort va fermer pour jamais !
But there is one song which above all others symbolises for me the melancholy of Autumn, and it's 'Les Feuilles Mortes' which was written by French poet Jacques Prévert in 1945. I always preferred Yves Montand's rendition of the song, even if many artists, including Edith Piaf, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra recorded their own version of it - and especially this clip from his concert at the Paris Olympia.
I remember showing this clip to my sixth-form French students one day we were talking about what they thought was 'boring old French music'. They were all in tears after watching this clip...
It always makes me cry too, but then again, I do tend to cry a lot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLlBOmDpn1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzuTdVJG-ck
So what is October for you? If you have any favourite October poems or songs to share, I would love to read them.
Lamartine's poem evokes Autumn so beautifully. Thanks for sharing Yves Montand singing 'Les Feuilles Mortes'... such nostalgia here now. I've always loved his version of that song.
ReplyDeleteAnother favourite of mine is Keats' 'Ode to Autumn'. This year it is especially relevant with this lovely mild and sunny weather.
Thank you Beth for visiting and for your comment. I will look Keat's poem up.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Frost is on the Punkin (http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/jwriley/bl-jwriley-frostonpumpkin.htm) is one of my mom's favorite fall poems. I'm not certain if I have any.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth. I don't know this poem but I will definitely check it out. Thank you for the link!
ReplyDeleteFor me October memories are triggered by a smell - rather than sound or poem. I love the smell of autumn leaves - takes me back to being a small child at primary school and scuffing through the fallen leaves.
ReplyDeleteGrace x
Smells and fragrances are so evocative, they can take you right back to your childhood or bring memories you thought you had forgotten. Thank you for your comment, Grace.
DeleteTruly inspired! Poetry is my most favorite form of expression! Fall a favorite season after Spring!
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween!
Thank you for visiting Yolanda. I do love poetry too, and love rediscovering poems I read when I was younger, or discovering new ones.
Delete