Country cemetery

I went back to the cemetery

of lovely Ambérieux,

which gave me

lifelong joy.

Under the moss and thyme,

near the trees by the presbytery,

I found the obscure spot

whither, some morning,

Free at last from all my burdens,

I will go

for a last sweet sleep

between my father and mother.

No proud epitaph

or fancy words for me.

Just a few roses

scattered here and there

in the grass, moss,

flowering alfalfa,

and a scrap of field

on my horizon!

The church of my youth,

whitewashed,

where I devoutly

served at Mass,

is still there

on guard,

and looking over

the rows of cypress trees.

Surrounded by my loved ones,

once again

I will hear

the sweet voices of the bells over the town.

They knew me when I was twenty!

They have not grown any sadder.

They will tell me

things to pass the time.