Listen to audio
“ La Joie ”
– imaginée –
La Joie réelle
Atteinte,
Je n’en croyais
De mon vécu,
N’était qu’un rêve,
Perçu toutefois
Comme de la soie,
Quoique doublé
D’une vie ridée,
Même si parfois
Brodé de roses,
Semblait une joie
Sans cause
Que l’on s’impose…
Et pour cette joie
Affaire imaginaire,
De rêves déserts,
D’une vie non façonnée
Qu’incite à découvrir
Une joie faussée
Quand même remplie de vie
Et de beauté non inventée,
Une joie d’un amour éprouvé!
A la recherche d’un souvenir de jeune homme!
© Jean-Jacques Fournier
Art, La Joie de Vivre, Henri Matisse
Music, Kai Engel, Cabaret
Poetry on a canapé 
I listened to the French version on your poem just for the sound of it!
You’re telling me this brings back memories of living in California in the early 80s, when a friend one day told me she often phoned just to listen to the french version of my bilingual answering machine message, thus because she enjoyed the sound. She had a good sense of humour, so I teased her about this, by suggesting doing so was another way of finding culture, other than in yogurt or wearing socks. Like I said she had a sense of humour.
Now, nonsense aside, you’re listening has me both flattered and intrigued, as well as wondering.
Does this have something to do with you’re being a teacher, or the motivation of learning French, as is Rebecca learning french?
I really do appreciate your interest!, Liz!