The Yale Anthology of Twentieth-Century French Poetry

Jacqueline Risset 1936–

besançon, france

A

poet and translator, Risset is best known for her French translations of

Dante’s works, in particular the Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso

(1985–1990), for which she received the Académie française award for

translation. She has also written several biographies of Dante. Risset’s other work

includes an Italian translation of Francis Ponge’s poetry. She moved to Italy to

pursue advanced studies and now teaches at the University La Sapienza in Rome.

Principal works: Jeu, 1971; Mors, 1976; La Traduction commence, 1978; Sept pas-

sages de la vie d’une femme, 1985; L’Amour de loin, 1988; Petits éléments de physique

amoureuse, 1991.

M. S. 1544

For consideration
To be all things

but when at end —
so those that hold
on by your look —
who of the earth —
took for the look —
little object —
sooner in time —
sooner in name —
but if for all —
than in the voice —
one sees therefore —
to open the other —
that if in me —
that of it you —

the reverse —
or the relation —
knowing that everything —
and if in you —