To paint the portrait of a bird
Jacques Prevert
from Paroles
French version here
First, paint a cage
with an open door
next paint
something nice
something simple
something beautiful
something useful
for the bird
next place the canvas next to a tree
in a garden
in the woods
or in a forest
hide behind the tree
without saying anything
without moving…
Sometimes the bird comes quick
but he can very well also take long
years
before he decides.
Don’t be discouraged
wait
wait, if you must, for years
the speed or the slowness of the bird’s
arrival
doesn’t have anything to do
with the success of the picture
When the bird arrives
if he arrives
observe the most profound silence
wait for the bird to enter the cage
and when he is inside
lightly close the door with the brush
then
erase one by one all the bars
being careful not to touch any
of the bird’s feathers
Do the painting of the tree next
leaving the best of its branches
for the bird
paint also the green foliage and the
freshness of air
the dust of the sun
and the sound of bugs in the grass in the
heat of summer
and then wait to see if the bird decides to
sing
if the bird doesn’t sing
it’s a bad sign
a sign that the painting is bad
but if he sings it’s a good sign
a sign that you can sign it
so very gently tear off
one of the bird’s feathers
and sign your name in a corner of the painting
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