Exotic Perfume by Charles Pierre Baudelaire

Name: Exotic Perfume
Author: Charles Pierre Baudelaire

The poem evokes a sensory journey through the power of scent, transporting the speaker to idyllic, dreamlike landscapes. The imagery of autumn and golden eves sets a tranquil tone, while the "burning odours" suggest a deep emotional connection to the source of the fragrance. The speaker envisions a paradise, characterized by the mythical Islands of Lethe, where the burdens of life are lifted, and harmony prevails. The presence of exotic fruits and upright men and women symbolizes an idealized existence, untouched by cruelty or hardship. As the speaker is led by the intoxicating perfume, visions of a bustling port emerge, filled with ships that have traversed vast seas, hinting at adventure and exploration. The mingling of scents from nature, particularly the green tamarisks, enhances the atmosphere, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that blend with the sounds of sailors' songs. This interplay of olfactory and auditory sensations underscores the theme of escapism, as the speaker seeks solace and beauty in a world far removed from reality. The poem ultimately celebrates the transformative power of fragrance, serving as a gateway to a serene and enchanting realm.

By Charles Pierre Baudelaire · First published 1857 · Genre: Poetry, Symbolist Literature, Romantic · 157 words

First lines

When with closed eyes in autumn's eves of gold / I breathe the burning odours of your breast, / Before my eyes the hills of happy rest / Bathed in the sun's monotonous fires, unfold.

Islands of Lethe where exotic boughs / Bend with their burden of strange fruit bowed down. / Where men are upright, maids have never grown / Unkind, but bear a light upon their brows.

Led by that perfume to these lands of ease, / I see a port where many ships have flown / With sails outwearied of the wandering seas;

While the faint odours from green tamarisks blown, / Float to my soul and in my senses throng, / And mingle vaguely with the sailor's song.

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Exotic Perfume is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Pierre Baudelaire, dated 1857 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Charles Pierre Baudelaire
Date: 1857 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Symbolist Literature, Romantic, Gothic, Decadent
Length: 157 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — Charles Pierre Baudelaire was a renowned French poet, and many of his poems attempt to evoke the sense of smell, often with an exuberant and exotic fragrance.
Symbolist Literature — Baudelaire was one of the pioneers of Symbolist movement in poetry. The title 'Exotic Perfume' suggests the use of scent as a symbol to convey deeper meanings.
Romantic — As part of the Romantic movement in literature, Baudelaire often dealt with themes of beauty, love, and the irrational, with 'perfume' often symbolizing the idealized, romantic aspect of love.
Gothic — Baudelaire's work often features gothic elements such as darkness, death, and the grotesque. An 'exotic perfume' might symbolize the allure of the unknown or the forbidden.