Song Of The Afternoon

By Charles Baudelaire

Lyric Poem
    Although your wayward brows     Give you a curious air     Angelic not at all,     Witch of the tempting stare,     I love you with a passion     Terrible and odd,     With the obeisance     Of priest to golden god.     The desert and the woods     Embalm your heavy hair;     Your head takes attitudes     Mysterious and rare.     A censer's faint perfume     Prowls along your skin;     You charm as evening charms,     Warm and shadowy Nymph.     Ah! strongest potions stir me     Less than your idleness,     And you can make the dead     Revive with your caress!     Your hips are amorous     Of back and breasts and thighs,     And ravished by your pose     Are cushions where you lie.     Sometimes to appease     A rage that comes in fits,     Serious one, you squander     Bites within the kiss;     You wound me, my brunette,     With ever-mocking smile,     Then sweetly, like the moon,     Gaze on my heart a while.     Under your satin shoes,     Your charming silken feet,     I place myself, my joy,     My genius and my fate,     My soul, mended by you,     By you, color and light,     Explosion of heat     In my Siberian night!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a vivid exploration of love and desire, underscored by a constant interplay of power dynamics. The speaker appears to be caught in a passionate, almost obsessive love, described with a sense of awe and reverence, likening his beloved to a "golden god". The use of such grand, religious imagery amplifies the intensity of his emotions, blurring the line between love and worship.

The tone shifts between admiration, desire, and a hint of masochism, reflecting the complexity of their relationship. The poet uses an assortment of sensory imagery to capture the allure of the beloved, with a particular emphasis on visual and olfactory cues, crafting an almost mystical aura around her. The rhythm and structure of the poem add to this allure, with each stanza flowing into the next, reflecting the speaker's continuous stream of consciousness and the all-consuming nature of his love.

The poet also plays with contrasts to further emphasize the potency of his feelings. For instance, the line "Explosion of heat / In my Siberian night" uses the stark juxtaposition of heat and cold to convey the transformative power of his beloved's presence.

Meanwhile, the speaker's willingness to place himself under the beloved's "satin shoes" showcases a submissive aspect to his love, highlighting a power dynamic that adds another layer to their relationship. The underlying theme of control and submission, combined with the passionate love and desire, results in a rich, complex portrayal of a relationship that is both compelling and thought-provoking.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.