TO MY WHITE BROTHER - LÉPOLD SENGHOR ' S LOVELY POEM

 I like poems which are simple but which contain very profound wisdom. I am aware of many in Tamil,English and French . Of course many golden nuggets of Sanscrit also. Here I am giving my translation of Lépold Senghor ' s beautiful poem into English from French . This timeless wisdom is the need of the hour. I am sure you would agree with me.

Poème à mon frère blanc
Léopold Sédar Senghor
Cher frère blanc,
Quand je suis né, j'étais noir, Quand j'ai grandi, j'étais noir, Quand je suis au soleil, je suis noir, Quand je suis malade, je suis noir, Quand je mourrai, je serai noir. Tandis que toi, homme blanc, Quand tu es né, tu étais rose, Quand tu as grandi, tu étais blanc, Quand tu vas au soleil, tu es rouge, Quand tu as froid, tu es bleu, Quand tu as peur, tu es vert, Quand tu es malade, tu es jaune, Quand tu mourras, tu seras gris. Alors, de nous deux,
Qui est l'homme de couleur ?
Œuvre poétique, 2006. Edition du Seuil, Paris

A beautiful poem by Senghor whose profound truth is worth pondering over.

I am giving the English translation
Poem dedicated to my white brother

When I was born, I was black,
When I grew up,I was black,
When I am in the sun, I am black,
When I am sick, I am black
When I die I will be black

While you,white man,
When you were born ,you were rose
When you grew up,you were white,
When you are in the sun,you are red
When you are scared,you are green,
When you are sick,you are yellow
When you die,you will be grey
Then,of the two of us,
Who is coloured ?


Coloured is a derogatory term to denote black people
I hope you appreciate both the profundity and simplicity of the poem.

T K Jayaraman
23/01/2015