Cultures

80

Photo book on Sri Lanka with short poems by Albert Russo, Eric Tessier,and from the Dhammapada (teachings of the Buddha), in English and French

2-Albert Russo-

cobra, o cobra
the fiercer your gesticulations
the closer I am to Him

***

cobra, ô cobra
gesticule tant que tu veux
je suis son protégé


3-Albert Russo-

no lions, not even
the lightning
can disturb Him

***

ni les lions
ni même l’éclair ne peuvent
Le troubler


4-Albert Russo-

whispers of wisdom
words of appeasement
in the sanctuary of Polonnaruwa

***

paroles douces
paroles de sage
dans le sanctuaire de Polonnaruwa


5-Albert Russo-

venerating the elephant
majestic symbol of life
we are his sons and daughters

***

symbole majestueux de la vie
l’éléphant, notre père à tous


6-Albert Russo-

beads and breastplates aglitter
anklets and headdresses sparkling
they dance to soothe the gods

***

femmes pleine de grâce
superbes danseurs
appaisant la colère des dieux


7-Albert Russo-

those beautiful iridescent butterflies
dance to the glory of
all things living, animal and plant

***

ces papillons chatoyants
dessinent les lignes de la vie
ode aux plantes et aux animaux