The poet, like a prophet,
Is a three-headed albatross,
Distinct, yet conjoined
At their burdensome beak.
The first head, covered in eyes,
Sees the world around.
The second with enlarged
Auricular openings,
Binaural beats bleed through
In synaptic synergy,
Each sound is sanguine sticky;
They cannot be unheard.
The third, most ghastly head,
Covered in bloody carnage,
Its endings raw and exposed,
Surfacing outward,
Having been in the depths of sin—
Dark acid scalding in screams—
The nerves are now sensitive,
Exposed
To the flowers of evil,
Sea men who come
On the poop deck of despair
To snag the broad bird,
Pull it down from its heights,
Let it hobble awkwardly a moment,
Gavage it with fatty filler—
Foie gras for freedom’s forgery.
No one likes a loud bird,
Even when they squawk—
In their own aviary notes:
“The storm of the scythebearer,
Fast upon us, approaches!”
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
Originally published on tristanrobertlange.com, August 27, 2025.
Tittu
Poet’s Note:
Les Fleurs du Mal was written in homage to Charles Baudelaire, whose own Fleurs du Mal shattered conventions and opened doors into the gothic, the decadent, and the existential. Drawing inspiration from one of the earliest poems in that collection, this piece does not seek to imitate his voice, but to honor the resonance of his vision — where beauty and corruption bloom side by side, and poetry becomes both wound and cure.
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: August 27th, 2025 07:05
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 11
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Damaso, Salvia.S 🌹, Cheeky Missy, Friendship, Teddy.15
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Comments4
Raw it bleeds and the reader's hands are bloodied. An albatross a symbol of freedom and fair winds for sailing becomes an ill omen if killed it is a burden of guilt leading to misfortune. I have seen the albatross in life and metaphysically. This is a graphic and vivid poem speaking existentially and the reference to prophet seems tied to the spiritual portion and vision needed with one head of eyes that see what others don't, one with ears that hear the pain and bleeding of the world and the third that of experience having lived the bloodiness and carry it with him (ironically like the mariner that kills the albatross that must wear it around the neck as a reminder) Nicely done Tristan a fave
Wow, Soren…you just gave this poem a second life with your insight. Yes...the albatross has always haunted me both as symbol of burden and of vision, so your reading felt spot on. I love how you tied it back to the mariner’s curse, as that weight (pun intended) is part of what I wanted to surface here. Deeply grateful for your careful eye, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
You are most welcome my friend
Your poem revolves around the duality of the poet's role, portraying them as both an observer and a conduit of profound truths and experiences. The poem explores the burdens of artistic expression, the struggle between creativity and the weight of harsh realities, and the complexities of existence. the poet's connection to the world, the sensory experiences that influence their work, and the darker aspects of life that inform their art.
Friendship, thank you for this deeply thoughtful reading. You’ve captured so well the dual weight I wanted to explore...the poet as both conduit and burden-bearer, where vision and suffering are inseparable. I’m grateful you sat with those tensions and named them with such clarity. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛ You rock, my friend!
What poems would Baudelaire write about Popeye? Don't answer that, of course! lol.
The Sea Spinach of Evil...oh you said poems not collections...🤐
Has Popeye a collection of poems? What theme are they on? Don't answer that! lol.
What a magnificent poem, if you love gothic, I would suggest take a trip of a lifetime one day to Prague. 🌹
I would love to visit Prague and will have to make a point of it. Thanks you, Teddy for the feedback and the recommendation! Both highly valued, dearest poet and friend! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
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