Those who nourish themselves on meats, dairy products and desserts Cannot estimate you at your fair value.
Even if stone cracked, you cannot make them open The windows of their farm … People like you are not included in their center of interest You do not exist … Hereafter you must know That they do not have time to bless you!
Their eyes are always fixed from above you While they bow With smiles above their double chins Before the sovereign...the sultan. Do you think for an instant that they acknowledge you?
If you ask my opinion on this subject It is because the ends of their twine Are in the hands of other people. Don't take exception to the fact That they are taken for kings!
Do not wait for them In the wrong places Vainly hoping They will consider you a man …
Even if you write hundreds of letters To these men of the closed doors Intending to see or speak to them You will not receive a single response … Be wary and attentive; Above everything Allow them their haughty airs. By thinking themselves important They will look at you scornfully!
They well like fondling Each others' backs … It is no longer to the point To listen to their dialogues "with admiration" To extol their writings "enthusiastically" To reward their facts "by clapping" …
Do not waste your time Or put your attention here … Think of other things.
Paris, 20.06.2007 Traduit par by Yakup YURT en français French free verse translated into English free verse by Joneve McCormick