Robed in a Silken Robe
The poem presents a figure draped in a shimmering silken robe, embodying grace and indifference. This character moves with an ethereal quality, reminiscent of a serpent responding to a fakir's commands, suggesting a blend of beauty and detachment. The imagery evokes a sense of timelessness, comparing her to the unfeeling sands of the desert and the floating weeds in the ocean, emphasizing her emotional distance from human suffering. Her eyes, described as cold and mineral-like, contribute to her enigmatic presence, merging elements of the divine and the mythical. The juxtaposition of angelic and sphinx-like qualities highlights her dual nature, embodying both purity and enigma. The poem concludes with the notion of her unyielding pride, likening her to a distant star, symbolizing an aloofness that remains unbothered by the world around her. This portrayal encapsulates themes of beauty, indifference, and the complexities of existence, inviting reflection on the nature of desire and the unattainable.
By Charles Pierre Baudelaire · First published 1857 · Genre: Fiction, Romance, Poetry · 157 words
First lines
Robed in a silken robe that shines and shakes, She seems to dance whene'er she treads the sod, Like the long serpent that a fakir makes Dance to the waving cadence of a rod.
As the sad sand upon the desert's verge, Insensible to mortal grief and strife; As the long weeds that float among the surge, She folds indifference round her budding life.
Her eyes are carved of minerals pure and cold, And in her strange symbolic nature where An angel mingles with the sphinx of old,
Where all is gold and steel and light and air, For ever, like a vain star, unafraid Shines the cold hauteur of the sterile maid.
What this Textopian page supports
Robed in a Silken Robe 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: Fiction, Romance, Poetry, Drama
- Length: 157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Fiction — As the specifics of the book's plot are not provided, the broadest applicable category is utilized.
- Romance — The book title suggests themes of luxury, richness and possibly romantic or sensual undertones, typical of romantic fiction.
- Poetry — Considering that Charles Pierre Baudelaire is known for his poetry, the book may contain stylistic elements or structures of poetry.
- Drama — The rich imagery suggested by the title indicates potential for high emotional stakes and intense interpersonal relationships, often found in drama.
Tags
poetry · French literature · symbolism · romanticism · aestheticism · beauty · melancholy · nature · urban life · existentialism · art · love