Paul ÉLUARD writes the preface to his first poetic anthology. 1947.

Paul ÉLUARD (1895.1952)

Signed autograph manuscript.

One page in folio on squared paper. Slnd [1947]

“I don’t love myself, I love my loves; I do not impose them but I defend them. »

Superb manuscript, first draft, constituting the preface to the first poetic anthology published by Éluard in 1947 by Sagittaire editions: The best choice of poems is the one you make for yourself – 1818-1918.

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To my friends

Are you all there? Are you not less numerous than I suppose, friends past, present, future, selfish or generous, just or unjust, ardent or destitute, all masters of my heart through affection, through consideration, through demand? ? All of you, for a moment, had — or will have — some of my tastes, I had — or will have — some of yours. But, most of the time, we are different. We follow parallel paths, but one is in the plain, the other in the mountains and one is hot and the other is cold, one rests in the grass while the other enjoys snow, one blooms with a rose and the other with an agate. In the disorder of fatigue and privileges, goals and impasses.

However, for lack of a common mirror, we exchange our portrait. Today I offer you one of mine, the most hospitable, if not the most similar: the poems that I loved the most . Give me yours and we will compare our tastes, we will reduce our differences.

Poetry teachers being conceived but unborn, I am wary of objective anthologies. We are taught here to die rather than live, to hide rather than reveal ourselves. But we are sensitive and what is most alive for us, provided that we proclaim it very loudly, will become so for others.

Tell yourself, my friends, that I would have passionately wanted to write each of the poems in this varied book. Above all, tell yourself that I am only ever happy and proud of what I love. I don't love myself, I love my loves; I do not impose them but I defend them. Paul Éluard.