Explore "Reversibility" by Charles Pierre Baudelaire on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Angel of gaiety, have you tasted grief? / Shame and remorse and sobs and weary spite, / And the vague terrors of the fearful night / That crush the heart up like a crumpled leaf? / Angel of gaiety, have you tasted grief?
Angel of kindness, have you tasted hate? / With hands clenched in the shade and tears of gall, / When Vengeance beats her hellish battle-call, / And makes herself the captain of our fate, / Angel of kindness, have you tasted hate?
Angel of health, did ever you know pain, / Which like an exile trails his tired footfalls / The cold length of the white infirmary walls, / With lips compressed, seeking the sun in vain? / Angel of health, did ever you know pain?
Angel of beauty, do you wrinkles know? / Know you the fear of age, the torment vile / Of reading secret horror in the smile / Of eyes your eyes have loved since long ago? / Angel of beauty, do you wrinkles know?
Angel of happiness, and joy, and light, / Old David would have asked for youth afresh / From the pure touch of your enchanted flesh; / I but implore your prayers to aid my plight, / Angel of happiness, and joy, and light.