During this time he made a sincere return to Christianity, and upon release from prison he participated in a Trappist retreat. During this time (1873—1878) he wrote his book Sagesse (Wisdom), which expressed well his Catholic faith. In January of 1886, however — after the death of a pupil and an unsuccessful attempt to become reconciled to his wife — Verlaine descended into alcoholism and drug addiction, having abandoned hope of leading a respectable life.
Richard Wilbur has included a translation of a previously unpublished Paul Verlaine poem in his most-recent collection, Anterooms.
The Sky’s Above The Roof….
(Sagesse: Bk III, VI)
The sky’s above the roof
--------So blue, so calm!
A tree above the roof
--------Waves its palm.
The bell in the sky you see
--------Gently rings.
A bird on the tree you see
--------Sadly sings.
My God, my God, life’s there,
--------Simple and sweet.
A peaceful rumbling there,
--------The town’s at our feet.
— What have you done, O you there
--------Who endlessly cry,
Say: what have you done there
--------With Youth gone by?
Entry written by D.S. Martin. His latest poetry collection, Conspiracy of Light: Poems Inspired by the Legacy of C.S. Lewis, is available from Wipf & Stock as is his earlier award-winning collection, Poiema.
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