Nelligan [English translation]

In 1901

Being a poet is a misfortune

Especially at the time of Nelligan

In Montreal

It was like being a Jew under the Nazi government

Being alone with your bird in your hands

Your treasure

And walking on mines

Like a spy in a foreign land

Who's going to blow up with the next step

Sprayed into the air

Into madness and death

Which is exactly what happened to him

At home, killed by his people

By indifference

Sorry, Nelligan

But know that here

Many of us, without telling as much

Secretly

Lift you up and carry you on their shoulders

Just like we had done in college

On an April evening

And we lead you back home

Into the temple of the immortals

• Artist:Félix Leclerc