MERCENARY MUSE
Palatial hunger, poor dear and heart’s love--alas--
when January lacerates the soul, to what
will you resort? Another’s room? And dreams
of Azores, after? Who will hear your riddles--
endless--out?--the desolating nights--snow after snow?
. . . As for our acrobatics, scarce to be believed . . .
Take these apparitions
and your temporary laughter--or pour champagne at a vulgar rate . . .
It’s enough I am in your arms, brief welcomed guest,
breasts bared to endless promises, perfumes.
—Jane Satterfield
Mercenary Muse is a homophonic translation of Baudelaire’s “La Muse Venale.”
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from Assignation at Vanishing Point (Elixir Press, 2003).
first appeared in Elixir.