
To the Memory - of - Charles Baudelaire
THE BOOK OF JADE - PART ONE
THE BOOK OF JADE - PART TWO
Postlude
A dream‑like tapestry of verse unfurls, weaving together the opulence of Persian courts, the melancholy of French decadence, and the echo of ancient myths. The narrator drifts through a kaleidoscope of images—golden censer smoke, moon‑lit jasmine, and the haunting gaze of the goddess Ashtoreh—while questioning love, beauty, and the weight of endless knowledge. Each fragment feels like a whispered prayer or a sigh, inviting listeners to linger in the lush, rhythmic flow of language.
The work moves beyond simple poetry, becoming a contemplative meditation on ennui and desire, where the speaker’s weary voice alternates between reverence and rebellion. As the first part unfolds, listeners encounter a chorus of sonnets, ballads, and refrains that pulse with both sensual indulgence and philosophical doubt. The result is an immersive soundscape that balances sensual excess with quiet introspection, offering a richly textured experience for those who relish lyrical depth.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (70K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.)
Release date
2014-09-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1878–1901
A gifted young American poet of the fin-de-siècle, he is remembered for the dark, haunting verse of The Book of Jade, published in 1901. His life was brief, but his work has kept a strong reputation among readers of decadent and macabre poetry.
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