A wonderful lady living in Paris has shared a lovely love poem titled “Green,” along with an English translation.

The lady has a unique name. Her name is Joelle, which is a Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh is God,” she explains. Joel was a minor prophet in the Bible. In biblical tradition, Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God used by the ancient Hebrews. 

The poem was written by Paul-Marie Verlaine, a French poet associated with the Symbolist movement. He is considered one of the greatest representatives of the fin de siècle in French and international poetry. 

She states that this poem is widely popular and has been set to music by the renowned French composer Claude Debussy, one of the most influential figures in music during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

First, read the English translation -

 Here are flowers, branches, fruit, and fronds,
 And here too is my heart that beats just for you.
 Do not tear it with your two white hands
 And may the humble gift please your lovely eyes.
 
 I come all covered still with the dew
 Frozen to my brow by the morning breeze.
 Let my fatigue, finding rest at your feet,
 Dream of dear moments that will soothe it.
 
 On your young breast, let me cradle my head
 Still ringing with your recent kisses;
 After love’s sweet tumult, grant it peace,
 And let me sleep a while, since you rest. 

(English translation credited to Richard Stokes. My sincere thanks to him. 

For my readers who know French, here is the original in French -  

Voici des fruits, des fleurs, des feuilles et des branches
 Et puis voici mon cœur qui ne bat que pour vous.
 Ne le déchirez pas avec vos deux mains blanches
 Et qu’à vos yeux si beaux l’humble présent soit doux.
 
 J’arrive tout couvert encore de rosée
 Que le vent du matin vient glacer à mon front.
 Souffrez que ma fatigue à vos pieds reposée
 Rêve des chers instants qui la délasseront.
 
 Sur votre jeune sein laissez rouler ma tête
 Toute sonore encore de vos derniers baisers;
 Laissez-la s’apaiser de la bonne tempête,
 Et que je dorme un peu puisque vous reposez.