Round and Round
The Jardin de Luxembourg's carousel, with its beloved white elephant, at left.
Every time I go to Paris’ Jardin de Luxembourg I have to make sure that it’s there—Rilke’s beloved elephant, going round and round on the park’s carousel, as described in Encyclopedia of the Exquisite.
The wooden carousel, created in 1879, were installed in the park in 1904. Poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was hypnotized by their whizzing, and while one of his wistful moods, the next year he wrote:
“…And on the lion whitely rides a young
boy who clings with little sweaty hands,
the while the lion shows his teeth and tongue.
And now and then a big white elephant.
And on the horses swiftly going by
are shining girls who have outgrown this play;
in the middle of the flight they let their eyes
glance here and there and near and far away—
and now and then a big white elephant.…”
The last time I was in Paris, you could still ride the carousel and go after the gold ring. If it ever shuts down, please don’t tell me.
So beautiful, this post! We were in the Jardin de Luxembourg in June to hear Chopin played in the park on our second day ever in Paris – I had no idea there was also a carousel there. Something for me to look for next time. I love that old photograph.
Dear Shelia,
How nice to hear Chopin played in the Jardin de Luxembourg! Sounds like heaven.
Sending you best wishes,
Jessica
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