more Rilke

[chelidon]

I've posted this before, one of my favorites, but it seemed time...

-------
Du siehst, ich will viel

You see, I want a lot.
Maybe I want it all:
the darkness of each endless fall,
the shimmering light of each ascent.

So many are alive who don't seem to care.
Casual, easy, they move in the world
as though untouched.

But you take pleasure in the faces
of those who know they thirst.
You cherish those
who grip you for survival.

You are not dead yet, it's not too late
to open your depths by plunging into them
and drink in the life
that reveals itself quietly there.

--Rilke (trans. Barrows/Macy)

Comments

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

mmmm. one of my favorites also

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Another Rilke fan? I should known :>

[morrigandaughtr.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm going to pour a glass of that and drink it in.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

mmm, yea. Drinking in the sweet, deep, fullness of life. ...everything s/he gives me, I will drink!

Are you certain?

[storm-and-raven.livejournal.com]

Everything????

Re: Are you certain?

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Yeah, the bitter and the sweet, all as they come. Take it in, and then hope to be able to recognize and spit out the poison, or transmute it into fine wine, but if ya refuse to drink, it just comes back again, and again, and again, until you do.

Really good to see you online, dear. Howr ewe? Would love to chat, or even a visit sometime?

[christeos-pir.livejournal.com]

Syn/chron/i/city

I was just exploring Rilke yesterday, after finishing The Left Hand of God: A Biography of the Holy Spirit. I think I need to get a copy of the Elegies.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Ah, yeah, the Elegies are wonderful. I can also recommend some good compilations if yer interested.

[christeos-pir.livejournal.com]

Sure, what have I got to lose but more money at the bookstore...

[anthologie.livejournal.com]

*ache* yes.

(Nice hat.)

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The hat belongs to one of my Lovely Housemates (she looks elegant in it), who said it make me look like a somewhat wild-eyed back-country Odin. I think that's supposed to be a good thing ;>

So is that a good ache, or a bad ache?

[anthologie.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's the hat making you look like a wild-eyed back-country Odin. ;)

And it's not an "either/or" on the ache." More like both.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

lol. heh.

I hear ya on the aches. Signs of growth, perhaps!