The Buffet, Poem by Arthur Rimbaud

Poem by Arthur Rimbaud Collection PoetryThemes TimePeriod 19th century

It is a large carved buffet; the dark oak,
Very old, has taken on that kind air of old people;
The buffet is open, and pours into its shadow
Like a stream of old wine, enticing fragrances;

All full, it is a jumble of old old things,
Of yellow and fragrant linens, of rags
Of women or children, of faded laces,
Of grandmother’s kerchiefs painted with griffins;

— It is there one would find the medallions, the locks
Of white or blond hair, the portraits, the dried flowers
Whose scent mingles with the perfumes of fruits.

— O buffet of olden times, you know many stories,
And you would like to tell your tales, and you murmur
When slowly your great black doors open.

Arthur Rimbaud

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