One winter, we’ll take a train, a little rose-colored car
Upholstered blue.
We’ll be so comfortable. A nest
Of wild kisses awaits in every cushioned corner.You’ll close your eyes to shadows
Grimacing through windows
This belligerent nocturnal realm, inhabited
By black demons and black wolves.Then you’ll feel a tickle on your cheek…
A little kiss like a crazed spider
Fleeing down your neck…Bending your head backwards, you’ll say: “Get it!”
(Translation by Wyatt Mason)
―And we’ll take our time finding the beast
―While it roams…
The footnote to this poem states: Written on a train, 7 October 1870. With that in mind, I interpret this poem as an expression of a sexual fantasy experienced while riding alone on a train. I picture a young Rimbaud, gazing out the window as landscape streams by, imagining himself lost in a loving embrace.
What strikes me as most interesting about this poem is that it seems to blur the distinction between fantasy and physical sensation. The fantasy does not seem to be limited to the mind but is experienced throughout the body. It is like Rimbaud has taken sexual fantasy to a next level where the thought turns to feeling.
The last two lines of the poem I find particularly interesting. The metaphor of the roaming beast can be interpreted in two ways. First, it could represent the mind lost in fantasy. What is intriguing about this possibility is that Rimbaud imagines that fantasy would be taking place during the physical encounter. This is a boldly honest observation, because Rimbaud is essentially admitting that he can get lost in fantasy, even during his most intimate moments. The other interpretation is that the roaming beast symbolizes our primal sexual drive, an animalistic urge which cannot be controlled, and which will roam freely, regardless of however hard we try to rein in our desires. Personally, I feel that both interpretations are valid, which adds richness to the closing stanza of this poem.
I hope you enjoyed this poem and found my interpretation helpful. As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments section. Cheers!
Stuff Jeff Reads 
Love the poem, Jeff, and your take on it, especially the layered levels of meaning.
Hi Debra. Glad you enjoyed the poem. Hope you are safe and well. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Cool that we both did book reviews while yours is very deep and mine is on four guys who wear makeup! lol
Take care Jeff! Stay safe.
LOL – well, I have thought about doing a blog that analyzes song lyrics, looking at symbolism and stuff, as one analyzes a poem. But I have seen others do it, and really, I’m way to busy to start something new. Thanks for stopping by. Keep on rockin and stay safe.
Oh man, Jeff. I hope someday you do that music blog. That would be awesome.