Warning: This article contains spoilers for Moon Knight episode 2.
Here's what the French poetry means in Moon Knight episode 2. In the episode, Steven and Layla share a moment over some French poetry, and the translation gives some insights into both characters' feelings. Layla, whose identity had previously been a mystery to Steven, turns out to be Marc's soon to be divorced wife. After their phone call in Moon Knight episode 1, Layla assumed Steven was Marc speaking in code, and she rushes to London to see if he was okay. It turns out, though, that her relationship with Marc is on tenterhooks.
Layla doesn't understand who Steven is, and it creates some fraught tension between them as she believes Marc to be undercover, not knowing about Marc Spector's condition. However, this tension is muted when Layla is browsing the shelves in his flat and comes across a book of poetry by Marceline Desbordes-Valmore. Steven begins reciting a poem to her, to which she joins in. Though a small moment in Moon Knight episode 2, it provides some interesting understanding of Layla's relationship with Marc.
Related: How Did Marc Spector Die Before Moon Knight?
The poem is Desbordes-Valmore's ''Les séparés,'' and the lines quoted by Layla and Steven translate to ''I am sad, I want my light put out/Summers in your absence are as dark as a room.'' Desbordes-Valmore was a French romantic poet, and ''Les séparés'' tells the story of two lovers who are separated, hence the title of the poem. This, of course, mirrors Layla and Marc's relationship, as they are essentially separated by Steven who rejects Marc's attempts to take control in Moon Knight. In a way, this poem is Layla vocalizing her feelings about being apart from Marc despite their
Read more on screenrant.com