The Poetry Corner

Mists And Rains

By Charles Baudelaire

Autumn's last days, winters and mud-soaked spring I praise the stupefaction that you bring By so enveloping my heart and brain In shroud of vapours, tomb of mist and rain. In this great flatness where the chill winds course, Where through the nights the weather-cock grows hoarse, My soul, more than in springtime's tepid sky, Will open out her raven's wings to fly. O blankest seasons, queens of all my praise, Nothing is sweet to the funereal breast That has been steeped in frost and wintriness But the continuous face of your pale shades - Except we two, where moonlight never creeps Daring in bed to put our griefs to sleep.