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Le Printemps des Poètes : 16th day

Le Printemps des Poètes : 16th day

Calendar from 27/03/2022 to 27/03/2022

On this Sunday 27 March, the 16th day of the "Printemps des Poètes", we share a poignant poem by Boris Vian, "Le déserteur".

 

THE DESERTER


Dear Mr. President
I am writing you a letter
That you may read
If you have the time
I have just received
My military papers
To go to war
Before Wednesday evening
Mr. President
I don't want to do it
I am not on earth
To kill poor people
It's not to make you angry
I have to tell you
My mind is made up
I'm going to desert
Since I was born
I saw my father die
I saw my brothers go
And cried for my children
My mother has suffered so much
That she's in her grave
And laughs at the bombs
And laughs at the worms
When I was a prisoner
They stole my wife
They stole my soul
And all my dear past
Tomorrow morning
I'll close my door
To the nose of the dead years
I'll go on the roads
I'll beg for my life
On the roads of France
From Brittany to Provence
And I'll tell people
Refuse to obey
Refuse to do it
Don't go to war
Refuse to go
If you have to give blood
Go and give your blood
You are a good apostle
Mr. President
If you pursue me
Tell your gendarmes
That I will have no weapons
And that they can shoot

Boris Vian.

(359) le déserteur - YouTube