La page blanche
English version below the picture
La page blanche
Qu’écrire et que faire ?
Je n’ ai pas d’idées!
Je regarde en l’air
Sans rien voir voler.
Où sont donc les songes
Qui hier me hantaient ?
Quel ennui me ronge
D’être ainsi vidé?
Janine, ma muse,
Me dit prend ta plume
Les idées infusent,
Tombent sur l’ enclume.
Faut-il donc agir
Pour pouvoir penser
Et la feuille couvrir
De riches pensées ?
Michel Fauquet
Novembre 2020
The blank page
What to write and what to do?
I have not any ideas!
I’m looking up in the air
And don’t see anything fly.
Where are gone all of the dreams
That yesterday haunted me?
What boredom is eating me
To be so much emptied?
Janine, my muse,
Told me, take your pen
Ideas are infusing
And fall on the anvil.
Should we therefore act
for being able to think
And get a page filled
With rich thoughts?
Michel Fauquet
2020, November
roughly translated from the French poem above
fauquetmichel
fauquetmichel 
Largement privée de faire et presque tout autant privée de savoir, la machine tourne en effet un peu en rond et à vide.
Bel après-midi à vous deux et douceur et sourire aussi.
Cela est un gentil commentaire .Merci Gilles
Writer’s block strikes again, and yet you have managed to write a very nice poem. It’s a wonderful thing to have a muse!
Is there a muse for the motorcycle drivers, David ?
Your muse’s suggestion worked. 🙂
Yes, Fraank , she is a good muse!! 🙂
Maybe a beach walk would also help stimulate a thought.
I like to be on the shore . In the far past I studied the vegetal populations in estuaries and dunes in my area of France and also the cliffs
Cheers to your love for biology!
Michel, I would love to hear more stories from your boyhood days of growing up in rural France.
Love to you and the family, Lavinia ❤
You give me ideas , Lavinia . Coincidence: at this time I try to classify photos of my youth . Thank you ❤
Reply
bonjour Michel,
hé oui, l’imagination n’est pas toujours au rendez-vous , et parfois les idées manquent, aucun sujet ne nous inspire…
rien ne vole, mais si de temps en temps encore une mouche qui cherche un peu de chaleur à l’intérieur !
bises ! bonne soirée !
C ‘est vrai , Maidy, les pêcheurs utilisent des mouches artificielles pour pêcher non pas des idées mais des poissons , bien sûr !! 🙂 ❤
Bel poème.
Mais pas besoin d’écrire, Michel. C’est bon avoir du calme dans la tête, si on peut en avoir.
Amitiés
Stephanie
Oui tu as raison stéphanie quand la santé le permet. Je suis très heureux de te lire ici. Je vais aller voir sur ta page ce que tu deviens .
The blank page is intimidating but you have conquered it in style! You should write more poetry!!
This is too much, Val . I have to stay humble ! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this whimsical poem. One day I will be able to read it in French too! Something very special about a blank page!!! I often wish more journals were sold with blank pages instead of lined pages because of the infinite possibilities. I have been reading about a language learning method where instead of taking a test or looking at flash cards, one just writes what one remembers on a blank page. It’s much better for long term memory because tests are better for short term memory! It is always a special treat to see your new posts! ♥️🙏🏼
Finally, thanks to you, I discovered that the blank page is very useful! ❤
A phenomenon that occurs in the lives of many wordsmiths…très bien écrit !
“100 times on the anvil, put your work back” to imitation of a famous quote . Thanks.
Excellent!
You’re very welcome
Michel you have already overcome the blank page! And how is your autumn garden? Are you getting it ready for next year?
About the garden I started to dig it but I am limited by the health. Thanks to ask, Nico.
Blessings. 🙂
Thanks, Nico.
😊🌏
Michel, I always face writers block. And it is natural.
hope you are able to get your tracks back. Take care
Hopeful I find again the good track, Angy!! 🙂
The blank page is intimidating. Sometimes you just have to put the pen on the page and see where it goes on its own.
Kathy you are wisdom in person .:) I am very happy to read your comment ❤
Et bien pour quelque chose que tu as torché c est très beau mais très nostalgique. L ambiance est partout à la morosité à cause de ce fichu covid. La famille nous manque mais il faut être prudent …..courage à vous deux .On vous souhaite une bonne soirée et on vous embrasse bien fort carole
C ‘ est vrai que j’ étais à court d ‘d’idée . Quelques lecteurs m’ en ont suggérées . Merci Carole de ton commentaire.
I like to read everything you write. Sometimes I look at a blank canvas for a while before I think of what I want to put there
…but after hesitating you did an art work, Gail . ❤
You must be pleased to produce such a thoughtful poem. I, too, would like to fill blank pages as I used to do, but, alas, they remain blank!
Don’ t loose courage, Dian, the inspiration will come back. ❤
I’m not a poet, never have been. You do fine and I understand a blank page.
At the opposite, Bonnie , I think you have a big inspiration ! 🙂
love your poem, reflects so many peoples struggle with the boredom of lockdown!
Great writing, more poems please 🙂
Perhaps indeed, Kate this poem may be the reflect of a time not much funny . Isn’t it ? ❤
Oh! What a wonderful poem, Michel!
And even wonderful-er Muse!!! 😉 🙂
I like to read whatever you write! 🙂
My problem is the opposite…HA…I write and write and then can’t decide if I should post any of it on my blog. And often don’t blog it.
I would love to hear more about your childhood. I’d love to hear about books you’ve read in your life that you enjoyed. I love when you post songs…especially those videos of you singing 🙂 . I love seeing your drawings/art work.
You are such a wise, compassionate, good, ETC (all positive!) friend…so I listen to you, I learn from you and I’m encouraged by you! Thank you!
(((HUGS))) to you and (((HUGS))) to your Muse! 🙂
All of your compliments make me melt , Carolyn. 🙂
I thank you for listing the ideas of posting. Sometimes I fear the repetitions because I post since 2001!! ❤
Yes, that is a l-o-n-g time! 🙂
Repetitions are okay. Still very enjoyable. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
You are right Carolyn.Sometimes, good fruit must be allowed time to ripen completely to become sweeter yet! 🙂
HA! Yes. 🙂 I’ve been blogging since late in 2005…and I think I’ve grown in my writing, a little bit, at least. 🙂
Yes you are more and more creative and full of ressources, Carolyn. Don’t you think of writing a book in classifying your posts by topics ? ,
I have so many poems I’ve written. I’ve written a few short stories.
I have 3 books I’ve written…fiction…one for children, one for teenagers, one for adults. But none of them are related to my blogging writing.
I’ve helped others self-publish their writings, but never been brave enough to do that for myself. And I’ve never EVER even thought about a book containing my blogging posts. That would be interesting. 🙂
You should do the same! You have such wonderful and amazing posts, Michel!
I think your easy and brillant writing should allow you to do a book, in chosing posts to gather by topics . For me it is impossible ( health ) ❤
Thank you.
I’m so sorry your health is such these days, Michel. 😦 You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Could one of your children gather together your blogging writing, photos, drawings, etc., and make a book for your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren? I think that would be SO wonderful. 🙂 A treasure for them to have and read and keep. 🙂
Some years ago my kids asked for a book of my poetry. So I printed off some of my poems…some of them I had written for my kids through the years…and I put the pages of poems into nice binders and gave each one “book”. 🙂 They were thrilled! 🙂
Beautiful. I posted maps of where we have unloaded and loaded since 2017.
Thank you. I will be able to learn the geography of your area on an active way and follow better your work trips ❤
Your welcome.
Thanks and courage to you.
Thank you.
I just listened to an interview with David Sedaris, an American humorist who lives in France occasionally. When asked if he experiences “writer’s block” he said he sits at his desk for twenty minutes, regardless if he has any ideas or not. Something always comes to his pen though it’s not always something that bears fruit immediately. Ultimately though, as evidenced by his work, his fertile mind creates a story that touches his audience, often compelling tears and laughter in the same essay. Personally, I find a glass of pinot noir stimulates my creativity, or in the morning, a cup of coffee does the trick. Your posts seldom fail to entertain us; so, please know that whatever you write, the gentlest of hands separate the wheat from the chaff.
So, we have to go on the Sedaris’s track with in our bag a bottle of Pinot noir! Thanks , Judy, for this sympathetic recipe ! 🙂 Surely I will try it!! ❤
Hi Michel
Blank page is no me blank, but filled with a beautiful poem. Thank you.
Amitiés,
Matti
Have a good day!
Thank you Matti. You are really kind.
I like the idea of telling your story with old photos, too! I especially like ones with old cars or your and your family when your children were kids or photos taken on vacation trips.
Thanks, Doug. You give me good ideas . I will try .
I know when I post old photos and write about them, they tend to be some of the most popular posts.
I will try, Doug . Past time is attractive .
I’ll look forward to whatever you decide to do!
Thanks, Doug.
Michel, I’d love to read about your experiences as a teacher! When did you realise you wanted to become a teacher? ❤
I was 12 years old, Marion ! 🙂
About experiences as a teacher I made a lot but hard to explain .
Thanks ❤
You always have this gift of writing Uncle Michel and even though you mind is blank at the moment, you still managed to write down something that creates a story ❤️
Yes , Isabel. Even if we are blank minded we can say it the best we can !!! 🙂 ❤
Do did very well…I know the feeling of a mind going completely blank. You managed to fill the paper with meaningful words that most of us can understand…
Love,
votre amie,\
Francoise
Ton poeme reflete bien l’ambiance du moment mais je ne m’inquiete pas tu n’es vraiment pas du genre a rester sans idee bien longtemps! 😉
Je t’embrasse bien fort ❤
Merci Isabelle. Ce commentaire me fait plaisir . je suis d”accord avec toi,ô jardinière, les idées germent avec un peu de patience!!
Affectueux baisers
Thank you Frannçoise ,but you know my pen was running by itself !! 🙂 ❤
Most of the world is in this predicament. We cannot plan ahead because we don’t know what will be allowed. We have ideas, but can we fulfill them? Now, winter is coming and we will be doubly stuck to our own devices. Ahh! This paints a sad picture! You and I know we can turn it around. Something will catch our fancy, our imagination, and perk our interest. Let us look at the “blank page” and see the possibilities. ⛄️
As always, my friend,
Rachel 🌹
Bravo , Rachel , your comment is encouraging and we have to be confident in the future with the help of God. ❤
Even when your mind goes blank you have a lot to say….such wisdom in everything you write!
You are lucky to have Janine to help you too! Hope all is well with you and your family…..God bless. ❤
You are right Gayle, Janine is an inspiration ❤
Wow. When I am bored, I find something to snack on. When you’re bored, you write a poem. This is a habit I need to acquire!
Love to you and Janine! ❤️
I can have a snack in the same time , Lynda !! 🙂
michel, you have touched so many lives since you’ve been sharing and blogging. your posts resonate with me and remind me of the friends i have in different parts of the world, friends like you who bless others with their words and pictures. your stories amaze me. i would love for you to share about growing up, about when your family was young, more of your photos and drawings…. i don’t think of myself as a writer, so i enjoy reading the musings of people like you 😉
Nice comment and thanks, Joyce for the article topics you suggest ❤
Every time I think about reviving my WordPress blog, this happens to me too.
I think Tim we are all the same !
Sometimes of late my mind is a blank page. This isolation from the COVID has been difficult. I pray for a closure of this illness SOON! Love to you and Janine ❤
You are right, Nancy, the lock down is needed to avoid the propagation of the virus but it is hard to live ❤
I doubt that there’s a poet who doesn’t have a poem about facing that blank page with an even blanker mind. You’re in great company– and, you overcame!
You have an intense poetic life, Cheri but it is true the inspiration goes here and there ! 🙂
And get a page filled
With rich thoughts….
Yes! You have beautiful, rich thoughts that you express so well!
Thank you Beth. It’s a pleasure to read you . I remember your brilliant entries on Xanga . ❤
quand j’y songe, mon coeur s’allonge…
comme une éponge, que l’on plonge…
dans un gouffre, plein de soufre,
où l’on suffre, des tourments si grands, si grands…
que quand j’y songe…
lovely poem, michel
you filled the page so well xox
stay well ❤
Ce chant que tu cites ressemble à un chant pour enfants . Exact ?
Oui, finallement la page s’est trouvée remplie ! ( à mon grand soulagement ) ❤
Nice!
My mind has been so cluttered with work and parenting concerns.
I should force myself to sit calmly before a blank page.
Yes , excellent exercise, Catherine ! 🙂
Michel, you have turned a writer’s block to a beautiful poem and the blank page thanked you! Keep putting your pen on paper and ideas will come! Best wishes!
La page blanche et le crayon s’entendent bien . C ‘ est presque magique , Louisa. 🙂
Bonjour Michel
J aimerai lorsque je n ai pas d idées écrire aussi bien que toi..
C est toujours un plaisir de te lire.
Bises à vous deux
Tu m’ as fait là une grosse et agréable surprise, Frédéric. Un très grand plaisir .
Merci pour ton compliment et la bise.
I tried to comment on this post a couple of days ago but it
would not post. Now my mind is blank and
I don’t remember what I said 😒.
I will say to you that you are such a special friend to so many
people from all over the word. Many of us have never met you
In person but love you and care about you. It is such a pleasure to
read about your life, your garden, your children
and your lovely wife 💕
I am very touched , Barbara by your words and I thank you.
Me too, I am an admirer of your wonderful family and at first of you both ❤
Michel, whatever you write I will be happy to read! Photos are nice, memories are nice, humor brings a smile. People, places, opinions…whatever your muse inspires you to write! All the best! ❤
Thanks Cheryl . Your words are really encouraging .
È successo qualcosa di imprevedibile che va oltre la presunta onnipotenza umana e questo ci lascia sconcertati.
Vediamo il tempo correre…
Ti abbraccio❣
Hai ragione, Sherazade, io che tacevo ho prodotto una “poesia” in pochissimo tempo.
Amitiés ❤
Michel
Bravo❣
Anything that you write and share here is charming and insightful. I especially love your old photographs. 🙂
Take care, my friend!
Thank you Marica for your kind words and suggestions. ❤
Michel, ‘Your Blank Page’. I too have some of those. To many problems and not enough time to resolve them. This Covid-19 sure is messing with everyone’s life around the world. Our state has just issued more restrictions again. I’m trying to be patient. You take care and you and Janine be safe from this awful virus. Love & hugs to you both. ❤
Yes, Marilyn, we are tired with this darn virus but we have to keep prudence. I wish the best to you both and I will think of you next Thursday.
Love ❤
Michel
Dear Michel,
I LOVE your poem. You should write more poetry. Despite the muse leaving you with a blank page, you came up grand and your words are stellar. Keep it up.
Love,
Zakiah.
Thank you Zakiah, your words are too much elogius but they comfort me ❤
You are such a creative person! I can write, too, but I cannot always do it on demand! When I was in high school, I was in an English class for higher level students. One of the teacher’s favoriel assignment was to give us a topic and tell us to write 1000 words, in ink, with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and turn it in by the end of the class, a time of only 50 minutes. The next day, we had to read the essays to the class and the students critiqued them.
I loved that class and it was very helpful to me in college because it taught me to organize my thoughts quickly.
Good teacher. And serious student, Nancy! ❤
Excellent Michel, Keep writing my friend.. At least Thoughts are still free…. 🙂 Good to see you are well, and that your lovely wife is encouraging you to explore your thoughts.. 🙂 Loved your writing 🙂
Thank you,Sue , you are so kind ❤
🤗
Page blanche offerte aux vertes imaginations…on peut y deviner, espérer y voir une libération des contraintes, la possibilité que ce soit l’inspiration qui s’amuse de nous plutôt que nous nous amusant d’elle
Bien vu, Sylvain.