--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The wolf howled under the leaves As he…" description: "\"“The wolf howled under the leaves As he spat out the bright feathers Of his feast of fowl: Like him, I devour myself. Lettuce and fruit Wait only to be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/arthur-rimbaud-2266_eternal_the-wolf-howled-under-the-leaves-as-he-s_2436547.jpg" --- # The wolf howled under the leaves As he spat out the bright… ![“The wolf howled under the leaves As he spat out the bright feathers Of his feast of fowl: Like him, I devour myself. Lettuce and fruit Wait only to be picked; But the spider in the hedge Eats only violets. Let me sleep! Let me boil On the altars of Solomon. The broth runs over the rust, And flows…” quote by Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/arthur-rimbaud-2266_eternal_the-wolf-howled-under-the-leaves-as-he-s_2436547.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/arthur-rimbaud-2266_eternal_the-wolf-howled-under-the-leaves-as-he-s_2436547.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/arthur-rimbaud-2266_eternal_the-wolf-howled-under-the-leaves-as-he-s_2436547.jpg) > ““The wolf howled under the leaves As he spat out the bright feathers Of his feast of fowl: Like him, I devour myself. Lettuce and fruit Wait only to be picked; But the spider in the hedge Eats only violets. Let me sleep! Let me boil On the altars of Solomon. The broth runs over the rust, And flows into the Kidron. ——— At last– O happiness, O reason– I removed from the sky the blue that is black, and I lived, a glitter of gold in the light of nature. From joy I took an expression as clownish and distracted as possible: It is found again! What? Eternity. It is the sea merged With the sun. My eternal soul, Observe your vow In spite of the night And the day on fire. So you free yourself From human approbation, From common aspirations! You fly with . . . − Never any hope. Nul orietur. Science and patience, The torment is certain. No more tomorrow, Embers of satin, Your ardour Is your duty. It is found again! − What? − Eternity. It is the sea merged With the sun.”” [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A surreal meditation on self‑destruction, yearning, and the fleeting nature of joy, juxtaposing natural imagery with existential longing. **In simple terms:** A wild, confusing search for meaning and peace. Key Takeaway Embrace paradox, seek inner truth. Themes existentialism surrealism self‑destruction joy transcendence Mood melancholic hopeful introspective Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - creative writing - personal crisis - spiritual quest - artistic inspiration Key Concepts nihilism alchemy solitude Questions to Reflect On - What does “eternity” mean to you? - How can paradox fuel growth? A Different Perspective The imagery may obscure practical guidance for everyday life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Eternal Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-soul-347197/) [Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) [Eternity Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity-sea-347199/) [Free yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-yourself/) [Possible Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible-eternity-347198/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) ## Related quotes > [Eternity. It is the sea mingled with the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/eternity-it-is-the-sea-mingled-with-the-sun/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [“It has been found again. What? – Eternity. It is the sea mingled with the sun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/it-has-been-found-again-what-eternity-it-is-the-sea-mingled-with-the/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [Eternity. It is the sea mingled with the sun. ... L'éternité.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/eternity-it-is-the-sea-mingled-with-the-sun-l-ternit/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [“It is found again. What? Eternity. It is the sea Gone with the sun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/it-is-found-again-what-eternity-it-is-the-sea-gone-with-the-sun/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [I'm interested in the eternal soul. That's what I write about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-alberto-urrea/i-m-interested-in-the-eternal-soul-that-s-what-i-write-about/) [Luis Alberto Urrea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-alberto-urrea/) > [“God shall bless you with an eternal soul but it's the people who shall bless you with eternal life”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/god-shall-bless-you-with-an-eternal-soul-but-it-s-the-people-who/) [P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/) > [When you push against the boundaries of experience into the twilight of the unknown, the Lord will strengthen you. The beauty of your eternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/when-you-push-against-the-boundaries-of-experience-into-the-twilight/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [“In a different life, in a fair one, I would've kept you until my eternal soul withered away to dust”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylie-smith/in-a-different-life-in-a-fair-one-i-would-ve-kept-you-until-my/) [Kaylie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylie-smith/) > [“We all belong to the holiness of our eternal soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/we-all-belong-to-the-holiness-of-our-eternal-soul/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > [It's always good to have fears for your eternal soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-douthat/it-s-always-good-to-have-fears-for-your-eternal-soul/) [Ross Douthat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-douthat/) > [The greatest weapon any warrior can carry into battle is absolute certainty of her eternal soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/the-greatest-weapon-any-warrior-can-carry-into-battle-is-absolute/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [In fact Plotinus thought not only that soul in general is eternal so that you always have soul, but he thought that each person's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-adamson/in-fact-plotinus-thought-not-only-that-soul-in-general-is-eternal-so/) [Peter Adamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-adamson/) > [To be conformed to this world is to risk the loss of one’s eternal soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/to-be-conformed-to-this-world-is-to-risk-the-loss-of-one-s-eternal/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [ “\[On the Human Soul\] While the Bible offers a clear distinction that the soul is separate from the body and discusses the idea of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-goedken/on-the-human-soul-while-the-bible-offers-a-clear-distinction-that-the/) [Brian Goedken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-goedken/) > [Can I get a witness let it unfold. We living our lives to eternal our soul aye-oh-aye-oh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bone-thugs-n-harmony/can-i-get-a-witness-let-it-unfold-we-living-our-lives-to-eternal-our/) [Bone Thugs N Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bone-thugs-n-harmony/) ## More by Arthur Rimbaud > [Stronger than alcohol, vaster than poetry, Ferment the freckled red bitterness of love!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/stronger-than-alcohol-vaster-than-poetry-ferment-the-freckled-red/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [“My turn now. The story of one of my insanities. For a long time I boasted that I was master of all possible landscapes--…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/my-turn-now-the-story-of-one-of-my-insanities-for-a-long-time-i/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [Eternity. It is the sea mingled with the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/eternity-it-is-the-sea-mingled-with-the-sun/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [“Delivered to oblivion...growing and flowering with incense and weeds to the sullen whine of nasty flies... I loved deserts, burnt out orchards, faded boutiques...I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/delivered-to-oblivion-growing-and-flowering-with-incense-and-weeds-to/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [“I On the calm black water where the stars are sleeping White Ophelia floats like a great lily; Floats very slowly, lying in her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/i-on-the-calm-black-water-where-the-stars-are-sleeping-white-ophelia/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [I went out under the sky, Muse! and I was your vassal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/i-went-out-under-the-sky-muse-and-i-was-your-vassal/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [But the problem is to make the soul into a monster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/but-the-problem-is-to-make-the-soul-into-a-monster/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [Love...no such thing. Whatever it is that binds families and married couples together, that's not love. That's stupidity or selfishness or fear. Love doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/love-no-such-thing-whatever-it-is-that-binds-families-and-married/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [Weakness or strength: you exist, that is strength. You don't know where you are going or why you are going, go in everywhere, answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/weakness-or-strength-you-exist-that-is-strength-you-don-t-know-where/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [Oh! If only we were naked now, and free to watch our protruding parts align; To whisper - both of us - in ecstasy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/oh-if-only-we-were-naked-now-and-free-to-watch-our-protruding-parts/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [But, truly, I have wept too much! The Dawns are heartbreaking. Every moon is atrocious and every sun bitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/but-truly-i-have-wept-too-much-the-dawns-are-heartbreaking-every-moon/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [What an old maid I'm getting to be. lacking the courage to be in love with death!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/what-an-old-maid-i-m-getting-to-be-lacking-the-courage-to-be-in-love/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [“I shall ask forgiveness for having fed on lies. - Farewell ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/i-shall-ask-forgiveness-for-having-fed-on-lies-farewell/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [And I am still alive-what though, my damnation is eternal. A man who deliberately mutilates himself is truly damned, is he not? I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/and-i-am-still-alive-what-though-my-damnation-is-eternal-a-man-who/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [. . . be absolute moderne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/be-absolute-moderne/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) [Explore all 148 Arthur Rimbaud quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) ## More Eternal quotes > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [“Please not yet. Those are the three eternal words. Please not yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-macdonald/please-not-yet-those-are-the-three-eternal-words-please-not-yet/) [John D. MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-macdonald/) > [I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lopez/i-remain-an-eternal-optimist-about-love-i-believe-in-love/) [Jennifer Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lopez/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) [Daniel K Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-k-judd/) > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [The time has come for us to understand that the Eternal Feminine is the greatest power in this Universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samael-aun-weor/the-time-has-come-for-us-to-understand-that-the-eternal-feminine-is/) [Samael Aun Weor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samael-aun-weor/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/we-are-eternal-all-this-pain-is-an-illusion/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [In some respects I will never die. Because art is immortal. What we leave behind and what we create - the energy that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/in-some-respects-i-will-never-die-because-art-is-immortal-what-we/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [The only way to have eternal love is to never let your heart forget what it’s like to live without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-only-way-to-have-eternal-love-is-to-never-let-your-heart-forget/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [In the course of our eternal existence, we spend infinitely more time in the spirit world on the other side than we spend in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/in-the-course-of-our-eternal-existence-we-spend-infinitely-more-time/) [Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/) > [The propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-propitious-smiles-of-heaven-can-never-be-expected-on-a-nation/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) [Browse all 3,280 Eternal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The wolf howled under the leaves As he spat out the bright feathers Of his feast of fowl: Like him, I devour myself. Lettuce and fruit Wait only to be picked; But the spider in the hedge Eats only violets. Let me sleep! Let me boil On the altars of Solomon. The broth runs over the rust, And flows into the Kidron. ——— At last– O happiness, O reason– I removed from the sky the blue that is black, and I lived, a glitter of gold in the light of nature. From joy I took an expression as clownish and distracted as possible: It is found again! What? Eternity. It is the sea merged With the sun. My eternal soul, Observe your vow In spite of the night And the day on fire. So you free yourself From human approbation, From common aspirations! You fly with . . . − Never any hope. Nul orietur. Science and patience, The torment is certain. No more tomorrow, Embers of satin, Your ardour Is your duty. It is found again! − What? − Eternity. 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