Une Dame en Rouge

Could have written 'A Lady in Red' which is the name I had given this project but I was in the mood to indulge in a little Français- a language I've been trying to learn since some months but am still ridiculous at, especially with pronouncing the r(s). I could say I know only un petit peu. Here's the complete deal from my photoshoot in la robe rouge.

A note to myself- enough of that.

Les roses de Saadi

J’ai voulu ce matin te rapporter des roses;

Mais j’en avais tant pris dans mes ceintures closes

Que les noeuds trop serrés n’ont pu les contenir.

Les noeuds ont éclaté. Les roses envolées

Dans le vent, à la mer s’en sont toutes allées.

Elles ont suivi l’eau pour ne plus revenir;

La vague en a paru rouge et comme enflammée.

Ce soir, ma robe encore en est tout embaumée…

Respires-en sur moi l’odorant souvenir.

(There is a translation coming your way, don't worry)

Saadi’s roses

This morning I wanted to bring you roses

But I had gathered so many in my sash’s closures

That the knots were too tight and couldn’t hold them all.

The knots burst. The roses blew away

In the wind, and off they were all out to sea.

They followed the water never to return;

From them the wave seemed red and as if set ablaze.

Tonight, their scent on my dress still remains…

On me you will breathe their fragrant memory.

by Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

(1786-1859)