The English version of this poem folows the original
Quand tu apprendras que je suis partie,
Un pas malheureux dans un trou noir infini,
Rappelle-toi ou sache que je t’ai aimé
Bien qu’imparfaitement, au bord de la folie.
Je t’ai aimé comme les vagues aiment le sable;
Je t’ai aimé comme la lune aime les mers;
Je t’ai aimé comme le vent qui gonfle les voiles,
Les tempêtes qui bouffent les falaises,
Et les brises qui s’envolent dans le jasmin.
Je t’ai aimé comme ces fleurs qui s’offrent
Au soleil et en meurent;
Comme ces nuages de voile qui s’évaporent
A force de s’étirer.
Je t’ai aimé sans conditions et sans récompenses
Autres qu’un sourire et un certain regard
Je t’ai aimé dans l’espoir
Je t’ai aimé dans l’optimisme
Je t’ai aimé jusqu’au crève-cœur
Parce que tu es ce que tu es
Et que je suis ce que je suis, comme je suis
Et pas mieux.
Comment je le lis: Aime
I loved you
When you learn that I have left,
An unfortunate step into an endless black hole,
Remember (or hear it for the first time) that I loved you,
Imperfectly, to the edge of folly.
I loved you like waves love sand and pebbles
I loved you like the moon loves seas and oceans
Like a wind fills a sail,
A storm devours cliffs,
And a breeze floats through jasmine.
I loved you like those flowers who surrender
To the summer sun only to perish,
Like those thin feather clouds
That stretch themselves into oblivion.
I loved you without conditions and without rewards
Other than a smile and a special look
I loved you with hope
I loved you with optimism
I loved you to the heartbreak line
Because you are what you are
And I am what I am, as I am,
And no better.
unbuttoned or undone 
The following is meant as a compliment that in no way decreases the coolness of either version: I like the wording of the french better. It…has more layers of flavor.
Oh, and in both your languages, your art was missed. Thanks for having us ’round for a visit:)
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Thank you. Yes, I agree, the French has more layers… Damn hard to translate, subtleties get lost, moods disappear when sounds change and rythms are altered.
It is late for you… Get to bed woman!
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AnElephantCant trouver les mots de te dire comme il adore ton poeme.
En Francais c’est mieux, bien sur, mais meme en Anglais c’est, comme toi, absolument formidable.
Peut-etre ta meilleure oeuvre.
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Merci… Tue es magnifique et adorable, comme toujours.
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Such a beautiful compilation… I have missed reading your writing. I have a lot to catch up on 🙂
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Welcome back then, and thank you. 🙂
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Thank you for the images, em. Gravity, tides, wind, human feelings.
rjb
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You are welcome. Yes. Thank you, always.
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Mon doux ami, je t’aime. Être bien et heureux.
Paul
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Merci papa bear. You warm my heart. Smiling
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