"To Paint the Portrait of a Bird"

"TO PAINT THE PORTRAIT OF A BIRD"

by Jacques Prevert

To paint the portrait of a bird,

Paint first a cage with an open door.

Then paint inside the cage

Something beautiful,

something useful to the bird.

Place the canvas against a tree

In a garden or a forest

And hide behind the tree

Without speaking or moving.

Maybe the bird will arrive quickly

But it could take years.

Don't be discouraged. Wait.

Wait all the years if need be:

the bird's quickness or slowness

will not affect the success of the painting.

When the bird arrives(if it does),

be completely silent and wait

until it enters the cage --

then softly close the door

with the paintbrush.
Erase one by one the bars

And, being careful not to touch

The bird's feathers,

Paint the tree,

choosing the best of its branches

For the bird to perch on.

Paint also the foliage

And the cool breeze

And the rays of the sun;

Paint the sounds of the animals,

The plants, the summer warmth.

Then wait until the bird decides

To sing or not to sing:

If not, it is a bad sign

And a sign the portrait is bad,

But singing is a good sign --

A sign that you can sign.

Very softly, pluck a feather

From the bird and write your name

In a corner of the canvas.