l'important c'est le vert

The French language is romantic in another sense: the sound of its words is said to express or induce amorous love or romance. I believe Filipino can be just as romantic because of the many nuances of emotions that our words can convey. In both languages, the same word (Fr. cher/ chère, Fil. mahal) is used to denote both affection and the attribute of being precious or expensive.

I found a jewel of a French poem in KC's blog and decided to test the above hypothesis by translating it into Filipino. It was fun to play around with synonyms, the placement of words, and rhyme. Here's the aesthetic, light-hearted French spirit finding expression in emotionally lush Filipino:

Berde
ni Paul Verlaine

“Heto’ng mga prutas, bulaklak, dahon at sangang dala ko
At heto ang aking pusong tumitibok para lamang sa iyo.
Sana’y huwag itong punitin ng mapuputi mong mga kamay
At patamisin ng magaganda mong mga mata itong aba kong alay.

Dumarating ako ngayong mag-uumagang binabalutan ng hamog
Na sa aking noo’y kay lamig kapag nahanginan
Sa higaan pabayaang sa iyong paanan ang aking pagod
Ay managinip ng matatamis na oras ng kapahingahan.

Sa bata mong dibdib pagulungin ang aking ulo
Na pagkatapos mong halika’y puno ng dagundong
Pabayaang mapayapa ang mabuting bagyong ito
At dahil ika’y nagpapahinga maidlip naman ako…”