Poem for Raoul Versini

To my dear Raoul Versini

Breaths of air floating in blossoming woods
Alight upon the glistening foliage;
Gladioli glow in weeping brooks;
Through a dark blue sky a white cloud swims.

The cool air is sweet against snowy chests
Stripped naked; mossiness bursts forth from throats;
Behold beside rosy beams
The sweetness of hands caressing hips.
It rains through sunlight, sings through waters,
Swooning kisses sup the flesh
Beneath the branches.

 

 Ader, Lettres et manuscrits autographes, Paris, 7 Oct 2020, Lot 319.
The identical poem was given to Maurice Henry in c.1890, but titled "Song of Spring" (Chanson de printemps) and dedicated "To Monsieur Sergeant Henry, with respects from a subordinate, Marcel Proust". Reproduced in Bulletin Marcel Proust 70, 2020.

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Created 06.10.20
Updated 08.11.20