Ma Bohème [English translation]

I was going away, fists in my burst pockets;

My worn-out shirt as well was becoming ideal ;

I walked under the sky, Muse! to you was loyal;

Oh, good gracious, how many splendid dreams I dreamt !

My only pants had a big hole in their center.

Like a dreamy Tom Thumb, I sowed and lost behind

Me some rhymes. My hostel was in the Great Dipper.

- My stars in the night-sky

made a sweet rustling sound.

And I listened to them, siiting on the roadsides,

These good September eves when I could feel some dew

drops show on my forehead, like some warming-up wine ;

When, rhyming in the midst of fantastic shadows,

like strumming on some harps,

I'd pull on the laces

of my bruised broken shoes,

my foot close to my heart !

• Artist:Arthur Rimbaud