Synopses & Reviews
Charles Baudelaire opens The Flowers of Evil with a poem entitled Benediction, and it's special stuff -- but of course it is, we're talking about a poem by Charles Baudelaire, for god's sake.
When by the changeless Power of a Supreme Decree
The poet issues forth upon this sorry sphere,
His mother, horrified, and full of blasphemy,
Uplifts her voice to God, who takes compassion on her.
Ah, why did I not bear a serpent's nest entire,
Instead of bringing forth this hideous Child of Doom
Oh curs d be that transient night of vain desire
When I conceived my expiation in my womb
Synopsis
The poems deal with themes relating to decadence and eroticism. Charles Baudelaire opens The Flowers of Evil with a poem entitled "Benediction," and it's special stuff -- but of course it is, we're talking about a poem by Charles Baudelaire, for god's sake. When by the changeless Power of a Supreme Decree The poet issues forth upon this sorry sphere, His mother, horrified, and full of blasphemy, Uplifts her voice to God, who takes compassion on her. "Ah, why did I not bear a serpent's nest entire, Instead of bringing forth this hideous Child of Doom Oh cursEd be that transient night of vain desire When I conceived my expiation in my womb "