Migrations Clandestines

Summary

"Migrations Clandestines" is a collage poem by Trisha Traughber that reflects on the historical and contemporary experiences of migrants crossing the Alps into France, juxtaposing the journeys of Italian immigrants post-World War II with current migrant stories.

Abstract

The web content presents "Migrations Clandestines," a French poem with an English translation by Trisha Traughber. The poem is a 'found poem' or collage poem, crafted from a piece in Charlie Hebdo #1331, which discusses the author's father's migration over the Alps from Italy to France. It draws parallels between the clandestine journeys of Italians after the Second World War and the experiences of migrants today. The poem is part of Traughber's series inspired by the stories of those who have secretly traversed the local mountains throughout history. This creative work is intertwined with her research for a short story and reflects her personal connection to migration, being a foreigner in France with a heritage of 'massive migration' from the US. The poem is a meditation on the interconnectedness of human stories and the challenges faced by migrants, both past and present.

Opinions

Trisha Traughber expresses a deep personal connection to the theme of migration, as she is a foreigner in France and comes from a family history of migration in the US.
The poem is a tribute to the resilience and experiences of migrants, acknowledging the hardships they face, such as crossing mountains poorly equipped against the cold.
The author emphasizes the importance of remembering and understanding the migrant stories, suggesting that one must not forget the last Italian city and the first French city that migrants pass through.
Traughber's work is haunted by the topic of migration, reflecting her empathy for both historical and current migrants, including the stories of those who have helped them.
The poem is part of a broader contemplation on how the stories of different migrants are interwoven, highlighting the shared human experiences across time and space.
The author's note indicates a sense of responsibility to convey these stories and make sense of the world through her poetry, one poem at a time.

Migrations Clandestines

A collage poem (in French) and its translation

Migrations Clandestines — collage poem © Trisha Traughber

Si on avait migré massivement par le même chemin, à travers les Alpes le veilleur de nuit le hasard d’une rencontre, ses propres migrations il faut oublier la dernière ville italienne, la première ville française passe cette fois à pied la montagne, mal équipé contre le froid.

If we had migrated massively by the same path across the Alps, the night watchman the chance of an encounter one’s own migrations, one must forget the last Italian city the first French city pass this time on foot the mountain, poorly equipped against the cold.

Note: This is a ‘found poem’ or collage poem. It is part of a series that I’m working on as I learn about the people that have passed (often secretly) through the local mountains throughout history. This is part of my research on a short story I’m working on — more to follow.

I snipped this poem and reorganized it entirely from a piece from Charlie Hebdo #1331 entitled “Des Ritals aux Blacks.” The original editorial is a reflection where the author talks about his father’s immigration to France over the Alps from Italy and compares the clandestine trek over the mountains many Italians made after the Second World War to the one many still face today.

This topic touches me and haunts me.

Since I myself am a foreigner here in France, and since I’ve inherited a long tradition of ‘massive migration’ from my own US heritage…Because my own children have, not only, my own migrant blood but their father’s French, Italian background as well…

I find myself contemplating these (seemingly impassible) mountains often and thinking of the people arriving today… I hear stories about what they’ve been through, and, occasionally, who has helped them.

Above all, I keep seeing the way our many stories are intertwined.

Thanks for reading along while I try to make sense of our world — one poem at a time.