Lethe - (Translator.) Barbara Gibbs.

[acreofbones.livejournal.com]

[My new favourite woman on the face of the Earth]

Lethe.

Come to my heart, cruel, sullen soul,
Adored tiger, indolent monster;
I would bury my trembling fingers
In the thickness of your heavy mane;

In your skirts laden with your perfume
I would wrap up my aching head,
And inhale the sweet, musty odor,
Like a faded flower, of my dead love.

I long to sleep! Sleep sooner than live!
In sleep sweet as death I will lay out
My kisses without remorse upon
Your lovely body, smooth as copper.

Naught so well as the abyss of your couch
Can swallow up my abating sobs;
Oblivion inhabits your mouth
And Lethe oozes from your kisses.

My destiny, henceforth my delight,
I will obey like one predestined;
Docile martyr, condemned innocent,
Whose fervor excites the tormentor,

I will suck, to deaden my rancor,
Nepenthe and complaisant hemlock
At the tips of that pointed bosom,
Which has never imprisoned a heart.

Charles Baudelaire
Translated by: Barbara Gibbs.

Comments

[whsprsatmidnght.livejournal.com]

This is actually a translation of a poem by Charles Baudelaire, one of my favorites. I wasn't sure if you were aware of that or not, but if not, I wanted to let you know for future reference!

[acreofbones.livejournal.com]

Oh I was, I forgot to include his name! *scowls* I posted this dreadfully late. I just really adore her translations. :] Thank you, though! <3