Read the poem: “Reversibility”

by Charles Baudelaire

Extract of The Flowers of Evil

Download PDF

American Literature – American Poetry – Charles Baudelaire
< < < Music
Sonnet of Autumn > > >

---

Reversibility

---

Angel of gaiety, have you tasted grief?
Shame and remorse and sobs and weary spite,
And the vague terrors of the fearful night
That crush the heart up like a crumpled leaf?
Angel of gaiety, have you tasted grief?

Angel of kindness, have you tasted hate?
With hands clenched in the shade and tears of gall,
When Vengeance beats her hellish battle-call,
And makes herself the captain of our fate,
Angel of kindness, have you tasted hate?

Angel of health, did ever you know pain,
Which like an exile trails his tired footfalls
The cold length of the white infirmary walls,
With lips compressed, seeking the sun in vain?
Angel of health, did ever you know pain?

Angel of beauty, do you wrinkles know?
Know you the fear of age, the torment vile
Of reading secret horror in the smile
Of eyes your eyes have loved since long ago?
Angel of beauty, do you crinkles know?

Angel of happiness, and joy, and light,
Old David would have asked for youth afresh
From the pure touch of your enchanted flesh;
I but implore your prayers to aid my plight,
Angel of happiness, and joy, and light.

---

Translated by F. P. Sturm

---

< < < Music
Sonnet of Autumn > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Charles Baudelaire

---

---

Copyright holders –  Public Domain

If you liked this article, subscribe , put likes, write comments! Share on social networks

Check out Our Latest Posts

• Histoire du Théâtre Alexandrinski
• Progrès du Site semaine du 1 juin 2023
• Site Progress Week of June 1st, 2023
• Poème « Clair de Lune » de Paul Verlaine en anglais et français avec le tableau «Nuit au clair de lune en Crimée»
• Poem “Clair de Lune” by Paul Verlaine in English and French with the painting “Moonlit Night in Crimea”
• Progrès du Site semaine du 25 mai 2023

---

© 2023 Akirill.com – All Rights Reserved