We are delighted to host a new selection of haikus by Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council, as part of our series "The old poet speaks gently".

These haikus were originally written in French.

Herman van Rompuy: The old poet speaks gently

Felled trees
no more spring stems
Waiting for transport

Dead leaves
More in the streets every day
autumn is falling fast

The light has returned
After the grey of the rain
A sky of hope