
AFTERNOON - BY - ÉMILE VERHAEREN - AUTHOR OF - "POEMS," "THE SUNLIT HOURS," ETC. - TRANSLATED BY - CHARLES R. MURPHY - NEW YORK - JOHN LANE COMPANY - MCMXVII
A sensuous meditation on love and the passage of time, this lyrical work unfurls like a garden at midsummer. The narrator’s voice moves through blooming roses, humming insects, and shimmering ponds, each image echoing an inner yearning for connection and permanence. The language is richly textured, weaving together the heat of July, the cool of afternoon shadows, and the tender intimacy of shared silence.
Through a series of vivid scenes—hand‑in‑hand rests on an aging bench, whispered promises beside a crystal‑clear lake—the poet explores how desire and memory intertwine with the natural world. The verses linger on the delicate balance between joy and melancholy, inviting listeners to feel the pulse of each moment as if it were their own.
Ideal for those who cherish poetic storytelling, the piece offers a gentle, immersive journey that celebrates the beauty of everyday love while hinting at the inevitable changes that time brings. Its rhythmic cadence and evocative imagery make it a rewarding listening experience.
Language
en
Duration
~23 minutes (22K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.)
Release date
2014-04-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1855–1916
A leading voice of Belgian Symbolism, this French-language poet brought huge energy and feeling to poems about cities, crowds, nature, and modern life. He was also an influential art critic, and his work helped shape the literary world of fin-de-siècle Belgium.
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