View

Le petit pan de mur jaune

The little yellow patch of wall—behold
How here a primal Dutch genius
Depicted the view of Delft.

There stands the Old John, leaning,
Its crooked stance mirrored in the Schie.

The play of light creates the illusion
Of a harmony almost too brief.
Already clouds are drifting in.

The little yellow patch of wall,
And perhaps three more yellow touches.

Was it not Marcel Proust
Who described this view so deeply?

This scene of light and life,
This painting full of poetry—
The little yellow patch of wall.

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