A Former Life

By Charles Baudelaire

    Long since, I lived beneath vast porticoes,     By many ocean-sunsets tinged and fired,     Where mighty pillars, in majestic rows,     Seemed like basaltic caves when day expired.     The rolling surge that mirrored all the skies     Mingled its music, turbulent and rich,     Solemn and mystic, with the colours which     The setting sun reflected in my eyes.     And there I lived amid voluptuous calms,     In splendours of blue sky and wandering wave,     Tended by many a naked, perfumed slave,     Who fanned my languid brow with waving palms.     They were my slaves - the only care they had     To know what secret grief had made me sad.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline


Share the Love of Poetry

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem, rich in vivid and evocative imagery, explores themes of nostalgia, longing, and the melancholy rooted in the human condition. The poet employs an elegiac tone, creating a stark contrast between the opulent, paradisiacal past and an unspoken present sorrow.

The poem's structure is characterized by four-line stanzas, also known as quatrains, which lend a rhythmic and orderly flow to the narrative. The poet's detailed description of the setting in the first two stanzas, through the use of phrases such as "vast porticoes," "mighty pillars," and "rolling surge," creates a grand and majestic imagery. This is contrasted by the intimate and personal tone of the last two stanzas, where the poet's personal experiences and emotions are revealed.

The use of the sunset as a metaphor for the passing of time is a standout literary device. The "ocean-sunsets tinged and fired" not only paint a vivid picture but also signify the end of a day, hinting at the transitory nature of the poet's past happiness. Similarly, the "setting sun reflected in my eyes" suggests a self-reflective introspection, a looking back at the past with a sense of loss.

The final lines of the poem reveal the poet's inner turmoil, despite the outward tranquility and luxury. The "secret grief" of the poet brings forth the poignant theme of hidden sorrow masked by external splendor, thus adding a layer of depth and complexity to the poem.

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.