Sentier des Douaniers

Margo Roby’s Tuesday Tryout gave us this painting by Monet, Fisherman’s House at Varengeville, Haute Normandie, as inspiration for a poem.  Among other ideas, she suggests we “Do what your brain started as soon as it saw the painting.”  Monet;s painting reminded me immediately of Cabane Vauban which is about 25 miles south of where I live.

Cabane Vauban, Carolles, Manche from Ma Normandie 

Sentier des Douaniers

Chemin des gardiens du royaume ─
ici on guettait les eaux
en attendant les contrebandiers
solitaire et loin du confort.
Des batailles entre criminels
et la loi ont gâché  la paix
de  ce paysage marin glorieux
afin d’assurer les revenus du pays.

Des mœurs évoluent,
enfin les randonneurs apprécient
le frisson de l’histoire du scène,
en prenant leur plaisir de la paix.

Which roughly translates as

The Customs Path

The way of the guardians of the realm ─
where they kept watch over the waters
for smugglers; lonely
and far from the comfort of home.
Skirmishes between criminals
and the law marred the peace
of this glorious seascape
in order to protect
the revenue of the country.

Customs changed
and now ramblers enjoy
a frisson from the history
while taking their pleasure in peace.