What is the effect of ‘time’ in his life?

How does Baudelaire effectively convey the theme of ‘time’ in The Enemy?

Significance of the title

‘The Enemy’-He is implying that time is enemy makes the reader

think that time is negative and evil.

- The word ‘enemy’ is repeated in the last stanza and the word is capitalized which suggest that it is important and emphasized.

First stanza: Spring and Adolescence

When I was young I lived a constant storm,

Though now and then the brilliant suns shot through,

So in my garden few reds fruits were born,

The rain and thunder had so much to do.

Second stanza: Autumn and Midlife

Now are the autumn days of thought at hand,

And I must use the rake and spade to groom,

Rebuild and cultivate the washed-out land

The water had eroded deep as tombs.

Third stanza: continue…

And who knows if the flowers in my mind

In this poor sand, swept like a beach, will find

The food of soul to gain a healthy start?

Last stanza: The time is dark enemy

I cry! I cry! Life feeds the seasons’ maw

And that dark Enemy who gnaws out hearts

Battens on blood that drips into his jaws!

Summary & Conclusion

Reminiscing his childhood (when he was young)

Structure: go through season as he go through life

Time is the Dark Enemy of his life

He cannot defeat time

Irreversible

Always flies