LATE

Finally, I came to Galang Refugee Camp,
Like you had done once.
But I came 6 years late, so it's useless
because you are now married.
Which barrack did you stay in?
Which sand did you put your feet on?
I chased you in the right direction
yet the distance is now too great.
If somebody is going to her new country
and has a chance to meet her,
please tell her my message:
It's not her fault not to keep her promise.
It's my fault to come too late.

(translated by author)


IT'S TOO LATE

So I've come to sojourn at last
In the same place, like you once had
But since I was six years behind
You had tied the knot and that's too bad

Which one of these was your abode?
Which slabs of sand buried your footprints?
Alas, although I followed your path
Between us remains the infinite distance

If someone would meet her by chance
Here's my message to her please take:
It's not that you reneged on your promise
It's just my fault having come too late

(Translated by Anne Nguyen)


TROP TARD

Enfin à Galang je suis tout de même parvenu,
Là où jadis tu étais une fois arrivée.
J'arrive six ans plus tard et tout est fichu.
J'arrive quand tu t'es déjà mariée.

Dans quelle baraque as-tu vécu?
Sur quel banc de sable as-tu laissé l'empreinte de tes pas?
C’est exactement par ce chemin que je t'ai poursuivie.
Mais il nous reste maintenant une distance infinie.

Demain si quelqu'un revient à ce pays
Et la retrouve que mon message lui soit transmis:
Ce n'est pas toi qui as manqué à ta promesse
Mais c'est moi qui suis arrivé six ans plus tard.

(Traduit par Kim Thanh)