| Arthur Rimbaud is one of my favorite poets. A child prodigy, he produced almost all of his written works by 21 and then began a second career in the jungles of Africa as a gun runner, among other things. Fascinating character and a poet of the French Revolution. He was a huge influence on poets from Ginsberg to Dylan. Translation from French by Oliver Bernard, 1962.
________________________________________________ The First Evening She was very much half-dressed And big indiscreet trees Threw out their leaves against the pane Cunningly, and close, quite close. Sitting half naked in my big chair, She clasped her hands. Her small and so delicate feet Trembled with pleasure on the floor.- The colour of wax, I watched A little wild ray of light Flutter on her smiling lips And on her breast, - an insect on the rose-bush.- I kissed her delicate ankles. She laughed softly and suddenly A string of clear trills, A lovely laugh of crystal. The small feet fled beneath Her petticoat : "Stop it, do !" The first act of daring permitted, Her laugh pretended to punish me !- Softly I kissed her eyes, Trembling beneath my lips, poor things : She threw back her fragile head "Oh ! come now that's going too far !... Listen, Sir, I have something to say to you..."- I transferred the rest to her breast In a kiss which made her laugh With a kind laugh that was willing...- She was very much half-dressed And big indiscreet trees threw Out their leaves against the pane Cunningly, and close, quite close. At the Green Inn, at Five in the Evening (1870) For a whole week I had ripped up my boots On the stones of the roads. I walked into Charleroi ; Into the Green Inn : I asked for some slices Of bread and butter, and some half-cooled ham. Happy, I stuck out my legs under the greenTable : I studied the artless patterns of the Wallpaper - and it was charming when the girl With the huge breasts and lively eyes,- A kiss wouldn't scare that one ! - Smilingly brought me some bread and butter And lukewarm ham, on a coloured plate ; -Pink and white ham, scented with a clove of garlic - And filled my huge beer mug, whose froth was turned Into gold by a ray of late sunshine. |