Comme une idée [English translation]

I reckon that when,

after spending

the whole summer singing

I'll go, shivering with cold,

to my enemy

the ant,

I reckon

I'll say

"Would you please

lend me a hand,

give me some wheat,

for I am hungry"1.

I reckon

it'll say

"I won't open my door,

because the whole world

is calling upon

my kindness.

I reckon

the party is over!

You can croak,

for all I care!

Shoo, shoo, off you go!"

I reckon

I'll soon be

starving,

and realize

the good fairies

won't save me!

I reckon

the world got

tired

and boys

care for nothing

but the noise of the gun.

I reckon

the Buddha

won't be coming back,

I reckon

the (Lord) Jesus,

won't be seen around,

and the spring

does not come around as often,

and only timidly.

I reckon

we can kiss

our Good Lord goodbye.

I reckon

the Earth is off

to a very bad start.

I reckon

we all are crumpled

and threatened.

I reckon

loving each other

was a very good idea.

1. This alludes to the famous fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper", in its 17th century version by La Fontaine (where the grasshopper is replaced by a cicada)

• Artist:Juliette Gréco