Dean, There is something deeply moving about the way this poem blurs the boundary between the human and the divine. Whether the “You” is God, a beloved, or both at once, the repetition of You becomes a litany of steadfast presence. My favorite turn is, “You remind me of all the good within me when all I can see are my flaws.” That is one of love’s truest ministries—to hold a vision of us until we are able to see it ourselves. . The musical arrangement with the soft piano adds emphasis to each word spoken. Beautifully heartfelt. Monica
Thank you Monica, your words are always such an encouragement.
This was written during one of my peaks of emotional crisis, you captured perfectly what was meant to be said. Besides being a magnificent author, you are a brilliant reader as well. It is so that we lose orientation in deep emotional breakdowns, seeing no light.
I felt the poem needed music, so I went for it: I felt it needed to be sparse, discreet, with lots of spaces (pauses) which was quite a challenge to orchestrate, but, there it is …
Thank you for reading, you never cease amazing me, you are one of my top literature idols (if I may use that teenie expression), I learn so much from your words and works. Thank you wholeheartedly for that. 🫶🏼🙏🏼🫶🏼
Thank you. The original was born in English, then I translated. My mind is rewired so some poems are born in French, then I translate into English, some the other way round. I translate “manually”, and not word by word by try to preserve what was meant to be said …
Very glad you like it.
I hope you like the music too, it took me almost a week to put that piece together. Although it may sound “simple”, it was not - minimalising and using lot of breaks and silences is very tricky and demanding arranging …
I don’t know French but I’m trying to do the same with my poetry in English and Spanish, although I am not fluent in Spanish so it’s tricky for me to translate back and forth properly. I hope people see the progress I make over time.
I love the setting of your poem to music! I absolutely believe you when you say it was an involved process to get the result.
(I dabble in music and have dated musicians and watched them doing studio work, I can only dream of doing it … my garage band app is filled with horribly executed songs. But hopefully they are good seeds for when I have more time to devote to it. My writing has moved to the front in creative energies at the moment).
Thank you! the music took quite some time, it was not easy to arrange the breaks and pauses, “playing with silence” … but I felt it has to be sparse that way, not “overplayed”
Dean, There is something deeply moving about the way this poem blurs the boundary between the human and the divine. Whether the “You” is God, a beloved, or both at once, the repetition of You becomes a litany of steadfast presence. My favorite turn is, “You remind me of all the good within me when all I can see are my flaws.” That is one of love’s truest ministries—to hold a vision of us until we are able to see it ourselves. . The musical arrangement with the soft piano adds emphasis to each word spoken. Beautifully heartfelt. Monica
Thank you Monica, your words are always such an encouragement.
This was written during one of my peaks of emotional crisis, you captured perfectly what was meant to be said. Besides being a magnificent author, you are a brilliant reader as well. It is so that we lose orientation in deep emotional breakdowns, seeing no light.
I felt the poem needed music, so I went for it: I felt it needed to be sparse, discreet, with lots of spaces (pauses) which was quite a challenge to orchestrate, but, there it is …
Thank you for reading, you never cease amazing me, you are one of my top literature idols (if I may use that teenie expression), I learn so much from your words and works. Thank you wholeheartedly for that. 🫶🏼🙏🏼🫶🏼
Awe Dean, You are very kind, thank you
Oh dear you, I am happy you do! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Marie for your warm words, ça me touche 🙏🏼
The French version is so calm.
Thank you. The original was born in English, then I translated. My mind is rewired so some poems are born in French, then I translate into English, some the other way round. I translate “manually”, and not word by word by try to preserve what was meant to be said …
Very glad you like it.
I hope you like the music too, it took me almost a week to put that piece together. Although it may sound “simple”, it was not - minimalising and using lot of breaks and silences is very tricky and demanding arranging …
You are right. It's about the specific " sound of poetry" in a given language.
I love the poem
I don’t know French but I’m trying to do the same with my poetry in English and Spanish, although I am not fluent in Spanish so it’s tricky for me to translate back and forth properly. I hope people see the progress I make over time.
I love the setting of your poem to music! I absolutely believe you when you say it was an involved process to get the result.
(I dabble in music and have dated musicians and watched them doing studio work, I can only dream of doing it … my garage band app is filled with horribly executed songs. But hopefully they are good seeds for when I have more time to devote to it. My writing has moved to the front in creative energies at the moment).
Beautiful piece about a love that seems divine because it's so present and constant. The song compliments it nicely. <3
Thank you! the music took quite some time, it was not easy to arrange the breaks and pauses, “playing with silence” … but I felt it has to be sparse that way, not “overplayed”
Exactly why it’s so effective. <3
How beautiful was this!! I really enjoyed it Dean🫶🏻
Thank you so much, imi! I am very pleased that you like it!
A very beautiful reflection 💖😊🙏🏻
Love like this is often revealed not in grand gestures, but in the quiet constancy of remaining. Thank you for sharing something so deeply personal.
Very moving so glad this love exists!
Dean, Rosemary. I really appreciate this issue. https://substack.com/@steveknepper/note/p-205056771