Are You Drunk?

As National Poetry Month Continues, I couldn't let today pass without honoring French Poet Charles Baudelaire. He was born on this day in 1821.

I wasn't familiar with his work, but was recently introduced to him via Bee.

This poem is the source of her nom de blog, and a wonderful exaltation.

Be drunken
Always. That's the point.
Nothing else matters; If you would not feel the horrible burden of Time weigh you down and crush you to the Earth,
Be drunken, continually.
Drunken with what?
With wine, with poetry, or with virtue as you please.
but Be drunken.
And if sometimes on the steps of a palace or on the green grass in a ditch or in the dreary solitude of your own room
You should awaken and find the drunkenness half or entirely gone
Ask of the wind ,of the wave, of the star of the bird, of the clock of all that flies, of all that sighs, of all that moves, of all that sings, of all that speaks, Ask what hour it is, and wind, wave, star, bird or clock will answer you,

"It is the hour to be drunken
Be drunken if you would not be the martyred slaves of Time.
Be drunken Continually, with wine, with poetry or with virtue, as you please."

I love the idea of this poem. Be filled!! Be Drunk with what is ever it is that fills you, be it poetry, virtue or wine. So, with what are you drunken? With joy, with love? Are you drunk with rage at this administration? Can our congress be drunk with justice?

Let's all be drunk with something!! Please let's not be martyrs of time.