The Sleeper in the Valley
Arthur Rimbaud, Michael Cashmore
A small green valley a slow stream
That sparkles silver in the light
The young man lying there
His blonde hair bleached by the sunlight
As though he hasn't got a care
He sleeps to one side hides his head
He's very young his braided coat's
Buttoned to his throat
The water bubbles at his feet
The humming insects chase around
The body they've found on the ground
The young man lying there
Oblivious to the bee's sound
As though he hasn't got a care
He sleeps on one side hides his head
He's very young his boots are wet
His hat's beside him in the grass
His blue coat's buttoned to the throat
His posture's stiff in mauve clover
You see the grass stuck to his soles
The young man lying there
His ribs punctured with two red holes
As though he hasn't got a care