C'est La Vie poem: Finding the Flavours of Life in Poetry

Life is a mix of moments—sometimes a dazzling cabaret, other times a simple croissant in a no-frills café. My poem, C'est La Vie, explores the ups, downs, and delicious in-betweens of existence through playful French imagery. It’s about embracing life’s unpredictability, from the elegant pirouettes of a ballet to the hearty, down-to-earth warmth of a cassoulet.

Every day brings its own flavour, and this poem is my way of celebrating the variety.

Using a rhythmic, almost musical structure, C'est La Vie highlights life’s ability to surprise us. The familiar and the unexpected—be it déjà vu or boeuf bourguignon—dance together in a world where even the ordinary can feel extraordinary. The repetition of “Life can be…” is intentional, reminding us that perspective shapes our experiences. Some days, we savour filet mignon; other days, we make do with what’s on hand. But in the end, it all adds to the richness of life.

This poem is also a playful nod to language itself. The phrase C'est La Vie—“That’s life”—captures the essence of rolling with whatever comes our way. And for those who might say, “It’s all French to me,” well, that’s part of the fun! The mix of English and French phrases reflects the way life blends the familiar with the foreign, the planned with the unexpected.

Whether life is a bright bouquet or Aunty Pat's stale buffet , we take it as it comes—et voilà!

C'est La Vie (It’s all French to me)

Life can be a cabaret

A can-can kind of day

Life can be a vol-au-vent

at Aunty Pat’s buffet

Life can be a bright bouquet

A smell the roses day

Life can be a croissant in

a greasy spoon café

Life can be a poised ballet

A pirouetting day

Life can be boeuf bourguignon

when you have no filet

Life can be a cassoulet

A full of beans type day

Life can be all déjà vu

Voilà! Un cabaret …

Mark Bird