“I have explored these regions and spent a year there, employed by a French commercial house.”

Original: Je suis resté un an dans ces contrées, en emploi dans une maison de commerce française. — Rimbaud describes his African experience in the practical language of work and exploration rather than literary adventure. · Letter to Ernest Delahaye, 18 January 1882 (French)

• Discovery
• Travel
• Work

“He must make his inventions felt, touched and heard.”

Original: Il devra faire sentir, palper, écouter ses inventions. — Poetry should engage the whole sensorium rather than remain confined to abstract intellectual meaning. · Letter to Paul Demeny, 15 May 1871 (French)

• Creation
• Poetry
• Senses

“With my savings I could rest a little after long suffering; yet I cannot stay a day without working, nor can I enjoy my earnings.”

Original: Avec mes économies, je pourrais me reposer un peu après de longues souffrances; et non seulement je ne puis rester un jour sans travail, mais je ne puis jouir de mon gain. — Rimbaud describes the restless relationship between labour, money and the inability to enjoy what he has earned. · Letter from Aden, 1884 (French)

• Money
• Rest
• Work