"Whence comes to you, you asked, this singular sadness That rises like the sea on the naked, black rock?" — Once our heart has gathered the grapes from its vineyard, Living is an evil. That's a secret known to all, A simple pain, with no mystery, As obvious to all men as your gaiety. So abandon your search, inquisitive beauty; And though your voice is sweet, be still! Be silent, ignorant! ever enraptured soul! Mouth with the child-like laugh! Still more than Life, Death holds us frequently with subtle bonds. Let, let my heart become drunk with a lie; let it Plunge into your fair eyes as into a fair dream And slumber long in the shadow of your lashes.
Translated by William Aggeler, The Flowers of Evil
Poetic Outlaws has a new shop! Nothing big. Just a few T-shirts and some coffee mugs. People seem to like the logo and I’ve had many requests for some shirts/mugs showcasing it. Anyway, here it is. Thanks for all the support.
Love Baudelaire - Flowers of Evil is one of the finest works in poetry
Baudelaire's work meant a great deal to me when I was studying for university. I am afraid he is much better in the original French, but nevertheless oddly lyrical and oddly "modern" too.