Poem in translation by Conor Kelly

The Point of Flame

All his long life
he loved to read
by candle light.
He often passed

his hand through flame
to show himself
he was alive.
He was alive.

Now, since he died,
he lies beside
a candle flame
but hides his hands.

(Originally published at The Honest Ulsterman. Pointe de flamme by Jules Supervielle in its original French here)
 
 
Conor Kelly has had poems published in Irish, British and American magazines. He now lives in rural France. He has a twitter account @poemtoday in which he posts a brief poem daily and a tumblr blog (Poem Today) in which he highlights one classic or one contemporary poem on a daily basis.