2 Poems by Suzanne Dracius

By | 1 September 2013

Suzanne Dracius

Suzanne Dracius is a prize-winning writer from Martinique whom the French Cultural Minister has called ‘one of the great figures of Antillean letters.’ She writes in French and peppers her work with Creole, drawing on themes of ‘métissage’ (refers to the blending of two distinct elements, in either a biological or cultural sense) and ‘marronnage’ (refers to the flight of slaves from their masters). In addition to Creole, Dracius makes generous use of Latin and Greek, as well as rare French words and verlan (French slang which reverses the order of syllables in several common words). Dracius often references the finely calibrated racial distinctions on the black/white continuum found in Martinique, including calazaza women like herself, known for being light-skinned, multi-racial, and having red or blond hair.

While traveling to Martinique last year, thanks to a grant from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, I had the pleasure of meeting Dracius. Although we had exchanged countless emails while collaborating on the translations, I found it invaluable to work with her in person, as well as to see with my own eyes the landscapes described in the poems. She was a gracious hostess who showed me around the island, including the deadly volcano that overshadows the town of Saint-Pierre, as well as the stunning Caribbean beaches at sunset. She even introduced me to the president of Martinique, Serge Letchimy.

These two poems are part of Dracius’s only collection of poetry, Exquise déréliction métisse (Calazaza’s Delicious Dereliction). They have never before appeared in English.



In memoriam Iohannis Claudii
               — For Jean-Claude Charles

Ferdinand, you fled Paris …
Jean-Claude, did you tread upon the heels of Cassegrain, your rabbit Muse and confidant?
Like a Maroon, you escaped to some other place: “Run away, we must run away,” dixit Césaire.
Ho, Jean-Claude, ho! O la ou yé? Where are you?
We’ll no longer call on our painter friends at Barbizon, hail the manes of Millet as we did in the past, with Elvire, lively and full of pranks, like an elf in Fontainebleau Forest.
Without doubt, in a single leap, Cassegrain will have lead you to see Langston Hughes, Duras, Césaire, Chester Himes, or to glide over Artibonite …
To romp from the urban Marais as far as the outer bounds of the true Elysian Fields where you will feel at ease.

Pointe-des-Nègres, May 8, 2008 1




In memoriam Iohannis Claudii
               À Jean-Claude Charles

Ferdinand, tu as fui Paris…?
Jean-Claude, as-tu suivi Cassegrain, ton lapin Muse et confident ?
Tu as marronné vers ailleurs : “Marronner, il faut marronner,” dixit Césaire.
Ho, Jean-Claude, ho ! O la ou yé ?
Nous n’irons plus à Barbizon visiter tes amis peintres, saluer les mânes de Millet comme nous le fîmes ensemble naguère, avec Elvire, espiègle et vive, alors pareille à un elfe en forêt de Fontainebleau.
Mais sans doute, dans un bondissement, Cassegrain t’aura-t-il mené voir Langston Hughes, Duras, Césaire, Chester Himes, ou planer sur l’Artibonite …
Gambader du Marais urbain jusqu’aux abords de réels Champs Élyséens où tu te sentiras bien.

Pointe-des-Nègres, 8 mai 2008


  1. Translator’s note: “In memoriam Iohannis Claudii” is Latin for “In Memory of Jean-Claude.” Jean-Claude Charles (1949-2008) was a gifted and well-published Haitian writer known for his errant lifestyle, living in such places as Mexico, Chicago, New York, and Paris. Ferdinand and Cassegrain are characters featured in his last novel, Ferdinand, je suis à Paris (Ferdinand, I am in Paris). Elvire is Charles’ daughter.




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