Notre Petite Camionette Poem by Kassem Oude

Hote cher dans la cour
La mignonne camionette
Qui ajoute tant d'humour
Aussi gaie qu'une vedette

Elle emmène tout dimanche
Les enfants au pique-nique
Et attend sous les branches
Ni fatigue ni panique

Se faufile dans les champs
Elle entasse dans sa caisse
Les amis à l'avant
Les produits sur ses fesses

Elle défend les récoltes
Contre tout monopole
Evitant toute perte
Un meilleur bénévole

Une belle compagnie
Nous rejoint dès longtemps
Que je sens en manie
D'estimer son talent.

OUR LITTLE PICKUP TRUCK

After a rich breakfast of petrol,
Our cute little truck was all ready,
It adds so much pleasure to our lives,
Bright as a star, and just as steady

I drove the country road that Sunday,
Observing children at a picnic,
I watched them through the leafy branches,
Feeling neither fatigue nor panic

Suddenly I veered into a field,
A little off course and off the track,
My friends, who were sitting in front with me,
Now found themselves sitting in the back

But the crops I was hauling were safe,
All secure and ready for the sale,
I was so thankful there was no loss,
Quite a happy ending to this tale

My truck is a faithful companion,
We have been together for so long,
With excitement I praise its value,
Between me and my truck the bond is strong.

Translated by the poet Lorraine Colon

on Sunday July 26,2015

1999