The Possessed

Poem by Charles Baudelaire Collection The Flowers of EvilThemes ReligionPeriod 19th century

The sun has wrapped itself in mourning. Like him,
O Moon of my life! muffle yourself in shadow;
Sleep or smoke as you please; be mute, be dark,
And plunge wholly into the abyss of Ennui;

I love you so! Yet if you wish today,
Like an eclipsed star emerging from the half-light,
To strut in places crowded by Madness,
So be it! Charming dagger, leap from your sheath!

Light your pupil at the flame of the chandeliers!
Light desire in the glances of the boors!
Everything of you is my pleasure, morbid or frisky;

Be what you will, black night, red dawn;
There is not a fiber in all my trembling body
That does not cry: O my dear Belzebub, I adore you!

Charles Baudelaire

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