"Free and soaring, trailing a violet haze,
Shot through the sky, a reddening wall
Wet with the jam of poets’ inspiration,
Lichens of sun, and snots of bright blue sky;"
~ from "The Drunken Boat" by Aurthur Rimbaud
Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud (20 October 1854 – 10 November 1891)
Rimbaud (self-portrait) in Harar in 1883.
French poet , Arthur Rimbaud was a restless soul who spent his 37 years on earth traveling through three continents in search of himself. He came to live in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1880 as he became friends with the Governor of Harar, Ras Makonnen (the father of the future Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie). In Harar, Rimbaud worked in the coffee trade as the first ever European to do business there. Rimbaud's poetry, as well as his life, influenced many 20th century
writers, musicians and artists from Pablo Picasso to Jim Morrison.
These images are from 'Rimbaud's House' in Harar, however, it is unclear if this is the original house that he lived in or just the site. Either way, it was a magical place in which to get out of the rain and explore.
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