A lot of people ask me why Arthur Rimbaud gave up poetry.
Actually thats a lie. No one has asked me, it is just a lazy, cheap bit of journalism.
But now I know. I recently came across a bundle of documents handed down over the years from a Kipper seller in Camden. Among the papers was a poem written by Rimbaud apparently in payment for some kippers he purchased. At the time he was living in Kentish Town with Verlaine and on the run from his mum and Verlaine liked a kipper.
Anyway, the document I have reads as follows:
At the price of just one florin je
suis désolée
down the market place to
see the value of an orange
The sun of fruits
at its apogee
yet cheaper than a door hinge.
(I feel I can do no more). A.R.
