Semper Eadem

By Charles Baudelaire

Sonnet
    You said, there grows within you some strange gloom,     A sea rising on rock, why is it so?     When once your heart has brought its harvest home     Life is an evil! (secret all men know),     A simple sorrow, not mysterious,     And, like your joy, it sparkles for us all.     So, lovely one, be not so curious!     And even though your voice is sweet, be still!     Be quiet silly girl! Soul of delight!     Mouth of the childish laugh! More, still, than Life     Death holds us often in the subtlest ways.     So let my heart be lost within a lie,     As in a sweet dream, plunge into your eyes     And sleep a long time in your lashes' shade.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem possesses a rich exploration of the themes of love, sorrow, and the dichotomy of life and death. Throughout the piece, the speaker addresses a beloved, seemingly attempting to guide her through a period of emotional turmoil. The tone is at once tender, admonishing, and philosophical, weaving an intimate connection between the speaker and the subject of his affection.

The poem utilizes a structured, rhythmic scheme to convey its message, while also employing several standout literary devices. Metaphors such as "A sea rising on rock" and "my heart be lost within a lie" provide potent imagery, encapsulating the turmoil and ambiguity that underpin the poem's themes. The reference to "your lashes' shade" at the poem's conclusion suggests both a literal and metaphorical immersion into the beloved's presence, offering a powerful visual embodiment of the poem's emotional landscape.

The paradox of life and death is a recurring motif, with the speaker suggesting that death often holds us in subtle ways while we are still living. This suggests an exploration of existential themes and the transience of life. Yet, in exploring these profound themes, the poem retains an accessibility and naturalness, speaking to universal human experiences of love, sorrow, joy, and the inevitable passage of time.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.