Sylla-bled each word,
each sense,
each scent, the parting sentence
“au revoir, in Paris mon amour”
the parrot says,
again, again.
She recalls
his uniform
and paddy fields, the river delta
his bicycle, both bread and rice.
Waiting, each day the mailman
passes by her house
while the parrot says
“bonjour, au revoir”
again, again.
Today Melissa hosts dVerse with the art of Le Pho, a Vietnamese artist who studied art during the time Vietnam was part of Colonial French Indochine. Without knowing too much I tried to capture a love story between a Vietnamese girl and a French officer. Perhaps a mirror story to the story of Marguerite Duras.
October 15, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
We chose the same image and came up with such different poems, Björn, which is the joy of ekphrastic poetry. I love the juxtaposition of ‘each sense, each scent’ and the parrot repeating the phrase. And how poignant is the waiting and the mailman passing by each day.
Thank you… there must have been so many love affairs between the colonial men and the women…
I love “Sylla-bled”, Björn. The talking parrot made me smile.🦜
Thank you 🦜🦜🦜
Absolutely stunning..so much there, history, humanity, surrealism, and what an incredible narrator, or voice this verse has: stunning work Björn.
Thank you… I just tried to imagine how it must have been back in the days when it was painted..
Such a poignant and sweet poem, that captures small moments in life.
Beautifully written and I love to envision the parrot saying the same thing day after day, but people loving it all the same.
Love the subtle backstory to the parrot saying au revoir, and she waiting for the mailman. Also love sylla-bled, sense, scent – all poignant to her memories.
Your use of repeating lines is much like a parrot when they learn a new phrase. I can feel the heartbreak of love waiting in the wings of another day of no mail. sigh
Wow, you achieved so much storytelling within this concise piece. The parrot adds a whimsical, unexpected touch. Love it!
I love your poem and the story it tells of the painting! Well done.
An amazing story to conjure up from this image Björn, very poignant…
Delicate and I enjoyed the voice of the parrot, Björn. 🙂
I like how this straddles two cultures, from the exoticism of the parrot to the banality of a postman.
Could not stop the chills as I read your poem ~~~ a GREAT ekphrastic, Bjorn!
Wonderful piece Björn, well written… 👍🏼✌🏼
Very nice. You get the sense of a story within your poem.
Such a poignant write! How terrible must have been that wait.
awww, she’s love-sick … and the parrot won’t let her forget. such creativity! bravo. ❤