Poem of the Week: “Dans l’étendue/In the distance” by Philippe Jaccottet

Philippe Jacottet’s “Dans l’étendue/In the distance” describes mountains, near to but separate from each other. However, with spare language, the poet facilitates connection between the peaks.

Dans l’étendue

Dans l’étendue
plus rien que des montagnes miroitantes

Plus rien que d’ardents regards
qui se croisent

Merles et ramiers

In the distance

In the distance
nothing but shimmering peaks

Nothing but ardent glances
interweaving

Blackbirds and doves

–Philippe Jaccottet, translated by Derek Mahon, from Selected Poems (1988)