Le Regret des joujoux, also translated as The Regret of Toys, is a poem by Émile Nelligan that expresses the deep sadness and longing for childhood and lost innocence. The speaker reminisces about a dear friend from childhood who passed away, and how that loss has left them feeling isolated and disconnected from the world. The poem reflects on the joy and simplicity of childhood, and the pain of realizing that those carefree days are gone forever. The speaker laments the loss of the playful and carefree time spent with their friend, and the feeling of being unable to experience love and joy in the same way as they did when they were young. The poem is filled with nostalgia and a sense of longing for a time when life was simpler and full of wonder. Ultimately, the poem captures the universal experience of growing up and losing the innocence and excitement of childhood, and the struggle to find joy and love in the adult world. The speaker grapples with the pain of growing older and the realization that the magic of youth is fleeting.
