spleen

I love that Baudelaire entitled some of his poems "spleen."

What a wonderfully descriptive and so very un-French word for him to choose.

I have no idea why I was thinking about this. I am not in a spleen-like mood myself - in fact, I am quite content. But the thought struck me all the same.

I've always enjoyed Baudlaire's Les Fleurs du Mal poems. Perhaps for the same reason that my musical tastes tend to run towards minor keys: I enjoy their melancholic nature. Their affect, if you will. Never underestimate the power of the dark side.