One Thing On Which Patti Smith and I Agree.
by Sophia Harvey
For my birthday in April, my mother bought me two books: Patti Smith’s recent memoir Just Kids and, infinitely more fascinating to me, Arthur Rimbaud’s collection of prose poems A Season In Hell.
I have always been a sucker for the romantically deviant life stories of suffering artists. The more practical side of me knows that, in truth, it is a horrible thing to cut off an ear or drown in a bathtub of heroin. But the irrational and creative side cannot help but adore every example of servitude to the powerful command of artistic genius and every psychological defect that comes with following one’s passion. Because of this interest, I have known Rimbaud’s story for some time.
I knew that he was known as a rebel, a Decadent, a hedonist, a masochist, a depressive, a hormonal teenager, and a guiding light to many artists that I consider personal heros. I knew that he renounced poetry at 20, died at 37, and put forth his best work before 19. I had read a few poems but never seen anything substantial. To me, Rimbaud was just as mythic as Joan of Arc or Jay Gatsby.
In Just Kids, Smith speaks of the inspiration she draws from both his life and work. To her, they share a kindred transient soul.
Patti Smith, right, with lover and renowned rebel photographer Robert Mapplethorpe from ‘Just Kids’
Oh arthur arthur. we are in Abyssinia Aden. making love smoking cigarettes. we kiss. but it’s much more. azure. blue pool. oil slick lake. sensations telescope, animate. crystalline gulf. balls of colored glass exploding. seam of berber tent splitting. openings, open as a cave, open wider, total surrender. – Patti Smith, from Dream of Rimbaud
As I am currently in the middle of A Season In Hell, I do not yet have the authority to comment on its entirety. But I can say that so far, the prose are far more complex and far reaching than I could have imagined. Rimbaud is able to convey his tourment with a passion and poignancy that makes reading the collection a visceral experience. At the age of 18, I can almost see the words bursting out of him. Unmoderated. Passionate. Raw. A Season in Hell reads as if the poetry was storming through him and it was all he could do to get it out without exploding. I cannot wait to finish so I can write a true review. So more on this later.
Portrait d’Arthur Rimbaud, Picasso, 1960.
SOPHIA HARVEY 
I enjoyed this very, very much. I too share a love for Rimbaud and Patti Smith…
Thank you! I can’t wait to finish.
So glad you are writing about what you read with such palpable enjoyment. I look forward to the full review
I’m so impressed, Sophia, I too look forward to more.
gosh.
quelle interesting serendipity – was just walking down the street near Patti Smith’s house, talking about Robert M and “kids” and there you are, reading Rimbaud.
lovely.
will come and visit your blog again soon.
_teamgloria x
Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my post ‘one reason to never get a job’. Patti Smith is one of my heroes — she has the power and grace of someone who has never compromised, never cheated herself, never given up. Thought you might enjoy this review I wrote of one of her recent gigs: http://cilawarncke.com/2012/07/02/patti-smith-cardiff-coal-exchange/
I received Just Kids as a gift a couple years ago. Fantastically inspiring book.
It truly is.
Your paragraph, ” I have always been a sucker for…” is marvellous. That’s exactly how I have felt about it. I remember reading about van Gogh cutting off his ear and even eating paint and I was horrified, but as I thought more and more about it I discovered a rather peculiar sensation of meaning in those acts. Maybe, I thought, I’m also a little wonky, but lets face it, it’s all part of the human condition and it’s what makes humanity so mesmerizing and absorbing. Thanks for a wonderful post.
I was so touched by “Just Kids” that it inspired a deep love of Patti Smith. I haven’t read any Rimbaud but this description “A Season in Hell reads as if the poetry was storming through him and it was all he could do to get it out without exploding.” makes me want to run to the library!
Thank you!
great article. Dylan was a big fan of Rimbaud. some other shit, too.
i think you might like ellen forney’s book marbles : mania, depression, michelangelo and me.
Thanks for the rec! I’ll check it out!
I’ve been a victim of the weird allure of the tortured soul, too. They’re great and sympathetic characters to write about…but not to date!
Thanks for the post. I recently read Patti Smith’s book and was very inspired by it. I love the bit where she visits France in search of the grave of Rimbaud and feels totally lost. Very moving and something I’ve experienced too!
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