View RSS Feed

Clo

Poetry, Oh Noetry

Rate this Entry
I like poetry, so here I share this poem with you on this Friday evening, by Charles Baudelaire, most likely poorly translated from French:

One should always be drunk. That's all that matters;
that's our one imperative need. So as not to feel Time's
horrible burden one which breaks your shoulders and bows
you down, you must get drunk without cease.

But with what?
With wine, poetry, or virtue
as you choose.
But get drunk.

And if, at some time, on steps of a palace,
in the green grass of a ditch,
in the bleak solitude of your room,
you are waking and the drunkenness has already abated,
ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock,
all that which flees,
all that which groans,
all that which rolls,
all that which sings,
all that which speaks,
ask them, what time it is;
and the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, and the clock,
they will all reply:

"It is time to get drunk!

So that you may not be the martyred slaves of Time,
get drunk, get drunk,
and never pause for rest!
With wine, poetry, or virtue,
as you choose!"
Tags: drunk, poetry Add / Edit Tags
Categories
Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Raistlin's Avatar
    I was won over by the first line.
  2. Shlup's Avatar
    I will take your advice.
  3. G13's Avatar
    I took your advice before I even knew you were advising me.