Rimbaud The Poems edited and translated by Oliver Bernard
Publisher: Anvil Press Poetry; Revised edition (13 Oct 2011)
Language English
Paperback, 416 pages
ISBN-10: 0856464406
ISBN-13: 978-0856464409

Translator revisits French poet's work 50 years on and brings to light five unknown compositions.

International workshop on the life of Arthur Rimbaud when he was established in Harar - at Haramaya University – April 7 & 8 2011.

He may have lived over a hundred years ago, but French poet Arthur Rimbaud stills speaks to young people in the Internet era. A new Paris show, Rimbaudmania, reveals his influence on poets and musicians, from Burroughs and Kerouac to Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, Patti Smith and punk rock.

The lives of French poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine sound like something from a Rick Mayall sitcom. Theirs is a tale of forbidden love, drunken rows and cross-channel debauchery, with knife fights, a shooting and even a fish-slapping incident thrown in for bad measure. During a particularly stormy period in 1873, the two Frenchmen lived together at 8 Royal College Street, Camden Town, and there wrote some of their most enduring poetry.

The star cried rose into the core of your ears.
Infinity rolled white from your neck to your thighs.
The sea pearled red onto your crimson breast
and Man has bled black at your sovereign sides.

Arthur Rimbaud

(Translation by Niall McDevitt)