Le bac G [English translation]

How old could you have been?

Seventeen, nineteen?

You wrote that to me, but I can't remember.

You hesitate, you defer, you wait

and the letter is lost, but you know how it goes.

You were taking a clerk A-Level,

a cheap A-Level1

in a garbage can college,

the usual opening

of blocked-up horizons.

Your question was: "should I despair?"

How old could you have been?

Seventeen, nineteen?

You had a first name, but I can't remember.

I should have, I could have, no doubt

written back a dozen lines, but I didn't. That's it.

I was no matter where

stuck to the neck

in personal matters,

this eternal anguish

of maddening decline.

This was before summer.

You had decided

to visit France,

prefering to let

fate guide your steps.

Your question was: "should I despair?"

How old could you have been?

Seventeen, nineteen?

You wrote that to me, but I can't remember.

I should have, I could have, no doubt

but I don't even have time

to take care of myself.

1. up to the 80's, the French Baccalauréat was offering "good" options from A(litterature), B(economy), C(maths/physics), D(biology) and E(engineering). Then came the "bad" options, including "G" which gave little possibilities except becoming a lowly clerk or typist

• Artist:Michel Sardou