An excerpt from

Veiled Countries/Lives
by Marie-Claire Blais translated by Michael Harris

Paix / Peace

We were alone on these roads
when, come towards us
like a beautiful, veiled country,

this song, this graceful plaint
of thanksgiving

which had travelled

the world

was it already

the needle

of snow melting
in the spruce--

a humming of joy, a murmur

in the fir trees--

was it already
our voice

thus given over

to the silent earth?

* * *

Nous Žtions seuls sur ces routes

Quand, vint ˆ nous, comme un beau pays voilŽ

Ce chant, cette gracieuse plainte de reconnaissance

Qui avait parcouru le monde,

Etait-ce dŽjˆ l'aiguille de neige qui fondait dans les sapins

Un bourdonnement d'allŽgresse, un murmure dans les sapins

Etait-ce dŽjˆ notre voix ainsi abandonnŽe

A la terre silencieuse?