In this time of pandemic and great social and economic dislocation and pain, the place for art is critical. Art can soothe us but, more importantly, it can remind us that the love of ideas and beauty and the persistence of a humane spirit still matter. In fact, they may save us.

Recently I have been reading some of the great French poets and I propose to share them with you. In this series, I will choose one poem from each of my favorite poets and translate it for you. These poems will be illustrated with some of my fine art photography. I hope they bring you peace and joy. (Click here for previous installments: Charles Baudelaire, Guillaume Apollinaire, Paul Valéry, Paul Verlaine and Christine de Pizan.)

In the seventh essay, I bring you Alphonse de Lamartine (1790 – 1869). Born in Mâcon, Burgundy, Lamartine was a writer, poet and politician.