The poet Rimbaud is difficult for me to understand, but I think that's because I'm overwhelmed by the intensity with which he expresses his one-time living proof in his poetry.
I know. Jim. It’s such an incredible honor. I’m so happy for Patti. Thank you for asking about me, Jim. I am still trying to grasp the loss of this young man. But gratitude and joy for the wonderful things - like Patti and this space - help keep me going.
Thank you for returning to Rimbaud and for marking his passing. I read the Ashbery translation of "Genie" after reading the Wyatt version he entitled "Genius" - curious about the different title choices. Though we do have letters from his later years, I keep coming back to a question that only he knew the answer to...why did he stop? Nothing left to say? He said so much in his short writing life that I will be reading and rereading the young poet from now - until - all the while grateful to you for bringing me back to his work.
An almost full moon is shining down on a chilly, still holler tonight. Sat on the back porch for a while
to take in the stillness, the stars and the moonlight - everything in balance in the moment. It helps.
As do you, and this space, and all that contribute to it. Ever grateful, Patti. Please mind how you go.
What a remarkable life he led. He saw so much. And when he died it was in a place called Conception. Thank you for sharing him with us. I imagine his spirit accompanying you on all your journeys. It seems like his spirit lives on in you.
I just found out that Patti Smith is planning her next concert tour in 2025 through Germany, on July 11 at the Citadel Music Festival in Berlin. Tickets go on sale tomorrow - I'm in the starting blocks! So I'm happily surviving the gray November here in Germany...
Rimbaud's life was so extraordinary, from start to finish. It took some time for me to find Alain Borer's Rimbaud in Abyssinia, and later, the second volume of Rimbaud Complete (Wyatt Mason) which included his prose texts about some of his explorations in Africa. Then there's the photographs – there's an extraordinary coffee table book of those photos, published in France. Only a handful of them by Rimbaud, but then it traces the photos taken in the same region by the person who bought the camera from Rimbaud. I keep wondering why there aren't more films, or even a good, well-researched television series (like the recent So Long, Marianne, about Leonard Cohen) to bring such an amazing life to a young audience.
Thank Patti. The French travel writer Sylvain Tesson recently wrote and published a beautiful book about Rimbaud, A Summer with Rimbaud (Un été avec Rimbaud).
The book describes Tesson's experience walking in Rimbaud's footsteps and illustrates how one can find solace in poetry and the natural world.
Thank you, Patti. Yesterday (11/11) was my birthday and I was grateful to have this reading to listen to. I was also at the book signing at Rizzoli bookstore with Lynn Goldsmith and you and was so pleased to meet you both and have you sign my copy of her stunning book ‘before EASTER after’. It was a perfect 53rd birthday for me. 🎂❤️
Forty nine years since Horses! How did that happen? Still a favourite and much loved album which still resonates today. Thank you for your reading about Rimbaud , it’s always lovely to hear your voice. How he suffered near the end. Much love from London 🙏
"I'm now making myself as scummy as I can. Why? I want to be a poet, and I'm working at turning myself into a seer. You won't understand any of this, and I'm almost incapable of explaining it to you. The idea is to reach the unknown by the derangement of all the senses. It involves enormous suffering, but one must be strong and be a born poet. It's really not my fault." - Rimbaud, "Lettres du voyant"
I know next to nothing about Rimbaud and his life, having only read a couple of his works and through the sketch of his life provided by Wikipedia. The quote above fascinated me; I had assumed that he died rather young (in his 20s), not knowing that he had simply given up writing altogether (as a result of his tumultuos relationship with Verlaine?). The quote above struck me as complimentary or parallel to the Buddha's rejection of complete austerity and aestheticism. In my own path, I wondered whether it wasn't right to "make myself as scummy as I can" in order to finder a deeper understanding and cross over into unknown territories. I think I only know now--if I know anything--that we are always crossing into the unknown just by virtue of being alive! It may only be a question of which mode of living we choose to travel by, but all modes take us there in the end.
I recall the passage in "Death of Virgil" in which he is ferried into the beyond by his friend Polonius, if I recall correctly. Who do you suppose would have ferried Rimbaud across that final threshold of human experience? But, then again, that passage is probably as different for each of us as there are modes of living.
It's good to learn new things and it doesn't always require enormous suffering. Thanks as always, Patti!
Thank for this peace with death and feelings create a atmosphere the bleeding out one part and your way really make me cry faint everything and when I put on radio Ethiopia really God graced us with this author Patti Smith much love Julie and Eddie
Beautiful
The poet Rimbaud is difficult for me to understand, but I think that's because I'm overwhelmed by the intensity with which he expresses his one-time living proof in his poetry.
great! from Brazil...
Congratulations on the MASNYC award, Patti! Such a well deserved honor indeed! I’m so happy for you. With admiration and gratitude I salute you. 🐎
And to receive it alongside Yoko Ono! How cool is that? I don't know Ms. Bloodworth's work but I'll look it up. Hope it's a decent day for you, Robin.
I know. Jim. It’s such an incredible honor. I’m so happy for Patti. Thank you for asking about me, Jim. I am still trying to grasp the loss of this young man. But gratitude and joy for the wonderful things - like Patti and this space - help keep me going.
Gratitude for you, and hoping you are well.
Always,
Robin
Thank you for returning to Rimbaud and for marking his passing. I read the Ashbery translation of "Genie" after reading the Wyatt version he entitled "Genius" - curious about the different title choices. Though we do have letters from his later years, I keep coming back to a question that only he knew the answer to...why did he stop? Nothing left to say? He said so much in his short writing life that I will be reading and rereading the young poet from now - until - all the while grateful to you for bringing me back to his work.
An almost full moon is shining down on a chilly, still holler tonight. Sat on the back porch for a while
to take in the stillness, the stars and the moonlight - everything in balance in the moment. It helps.
As do you, and this space, and all that contribute to it. Ever grateful, Patti. Please mind how you go.
What a remarkable life he led. He saw so much. And when he died it was in a place called Conception. Thank you for sharing him with us. I imagine his spirit accompanying you on all your journeys. It seems like his spirit lives on in you.
I just found out that Patti Smith is planning her next concert tour in 2025 through Germany, on July 11 at the Citadel Music Festival in Berlin. Tickets go on sale tomorrow - I'm in the starting blocks! So I'm happily surviving the gray November here in Germany...
Rimbaud's life was so extraordinary, from start to finish. It took some time for me to find Alain Borer's Rimbaud in Abyssinia, and later, the second volume of Rimbaud Complete (Wyatt Mason) which included his prose texts about some of his explorations in Africa. Then there's the photographs – there's an extraordinary coffee table book of those photos, published in France. Only a handful of them by Rimbaud, but then it traces the photos taken in the same region by the person who bought the camera from Rimbaud. I keep wondering why there aren't more films, or even a good, well-researched television series (like the recent So Long, Marianne, about Leonard Cohen) to bring such an amazing life to a young audience.
Thank Patti. The French travel writer Sylvain Tesson recently wrote and published a beautiful book about Rimbaud, A Summer with Rimbaud (Un été avec Rimbaud).
The book describes Tesson's experience walking in Rimbaud's footsteps and illustrates how one can find solace in poetry and the natural world.
Thank you, Patti. Yesterday (11/11) was my birthday and I was grateful to have this reading to listen to. I was also at the book signing at Rizzoli bookstore with Lynn Goldsmith and you and was so pleased to meet you both and have you sign my copy of her stunning book ‘before EASTER after’. It was a perfect 53rd birthday for me. 🎂❤️
Forty nine years since Horses! How did that happen? Still a favourite and much loved album which still resonates today. Thank you for your reading about Rimbaud , it’s always lovely to hear your voice. How he suffered near the end. Much love from London 🙏
"I'm now making myself as scummy as I can. Why? I want to be a poet, and I'm working at turning myself into a seer. You won't understand any of this, and I'm almost incapable of explaining it to you. The idea is to reach the unknown by the derangement of all the senses. It involves enormous suffering, but one must be strong and be a born poet. It's really not my fault." - Rimbaud, "Lettres du voyant"
I know next to nothing about Rimbaud and his life, having only read a couple of his works and through the sketch of his life provided by Wikipedia. The quote above fascinated me; I had assumed that he died rather young (in his 20s), not knowing that he had simply given up writing altogether (as a result of his tumultuos relationship with Verlaine?). The quote above struck me as complimentary or parallel to the Buddha's rejection of complete austerity and aestheticism. In my own path, I wondered whether it wasn't right to "make myself as scummy as I can" in order to finder a deeper understanding and cross over into unknown territories. I think I only know now--if I know anything--that we are always crossing into the unknown just by virtue of being alive! It may only be a question of which mode of living we choose to travel by, but all modes take us there in the end.
I recall the passage in "Death of Virgil" in which he is ferried into the beyond by his friend Polonius, if I recall correctly. Who do you suppose would have ferried Rimbaud across that final threshold of human experience? But, then again, that passage is probably as different for each of us as there are modes of living.
It's good to learn new things and it doesn't always require enormous suffering. Thanks as always, Patti!
Thank for this peace with death and feelings create a atmosphere the bleeding out one part and your way really make me cry faint everything and when I put on radio Ethiopia really God graced us with this author Patti Smith much love Julie and Eddie
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCAEnZ4xFtk/?igsh=MWs5NXJjdGt3NmEzcw==
“People have the power!”
You’re a rock star for the movement, Patti’
https://www.threads.net/@womenofamericana/post/DCQKNB7OmoI?xmt=AQGzRWHstca4sLdSuhKcDi1VZf-n3n8i3H0dsRWjkUWHMw
So sad.