L'Abattement des Poétes Muet

"The Dejection of the Silent Poets"

Expository Foreword

Let me first explain the significance of the title: "Dejection" refers to the sad fact that most of this series of short stories will be somewhat melancholy. The "silent poets" are not literal poets, per se, but I chose that description to symbolize the often overlooked, but still strangely beautiful, characters of the Harry Potter series. Finally, it's written in French because this endeavour was not based only upon J.K. Rowling's work, but also that of a famous French poet (who I will explain in greater detail).

For those who are deprived of the joy of the French language, you may have not heard of the renowned poet, Jacques Prévert (I'm aware that the *cough* name is prone to evoke some uncouth giggles... for the record, it's "pray-vairt", not "pervert"). His mark of distinction and the reason why I myself, a not-exactly-fluent student, appreciate him is that his syntax is rather simple and he writes entirely in free verse. But the truly great aspect is that much of his poetry brings to mind a strong initial imagery, but you then realize, in midst of a second reading, that he, in no way, has forced that image upon you. His poetry set up a situation that could conceivably be applied to any time, place, or character.

So, after having pored over many of these verses in class, I decided (under premise of an artistic, literary, and linguistic endeavour) to compile a collection of possibly scenarios that could be taking place in these ambiguous poems, relating to and augmented with references from Harry Potter. The seven below are some of my favourites which I have planned out, but I may do more if I get some positive feedback.

Also, I've translated these myself, so I hope that I've done the original work justice. I don't think that it has the same impact or mystery when read in English, but I suppose that it's an unfortunate necessity. Well... I imagine that I may have desecrated the beauty already by giving the poems an assigned meaning at all...

What You Can Expect:

First Edition - Déjuner du Matin: The Pain of Mr. Lupin1

[Remus Lupin, in his youth, suffering for his lycanthropic misfortune at the hands of his own family.]

Second Edition - Le Message: Cruciatus Prolonged2

[Neville Longbottom, fourth year and the summer after, receiving a certain letter from St. Mungo's that will change his life.]

Third Edition - Premier Jour: Life and Death in Godric's Hollow3

[Lily Potter, 1980, absorbed in the joyous event of Harry's birth, catches a hint of some dark foreshadowing.]

Fourth Edition - Pour Toi, Mon Amour: What it is to Seek4

[Viktor Krum, during and surrounding the Tournament, looking for victories in more than one area and discovering rejection.]

Fifth Edition - Le Cancre: The Stifling Cage5

[George Weasley, his seventh year, contemplating the worth of growing up versus remaining happy.]

Sixth Edition - Paris á Nuit: The Lovely Curse6

[Fleur Delecour, her return to France, struggling with the weight of her heritage and the perks as well as aches that come with it.]

Seventh Edition - Chanson de l'Oisleur: Fiery Loyalty7

[Albus Dumbledore, his last years, seeing his monumental life through different eyes, understanding the psychology of loyalty.]

1 "Breakfast"

2 "The Message"

3 "First Day"

4 "For You, My Love"

5 "The Class Clown"

6 "Paris at Night"

7 "Song of the Bird Keeper"