Tag: Rilke

Rilke on autumn

“At no other time does the earth let itself be inhaled in one smell, the ripe earth; in a smell that is in no way inferior to the smell of the sea, bitter where it borders on taste, and more honeysweet where you feel it touching the first sounds.

“Containing depth within itself, darkness, something of the grave almost.”

“For me, it is a foretaste of all of my life of faith. Each year repeats itself, proclaiming more loudly than before,

“It is not over, it is just beginning. Wait ‘til next year and see how much more glorious it will be.”

~Rainer Maria Rilke

As you can see from my previous post “Herbsttag” I am still reading Rilke when I find time.   Longing for the wonderful days of my youth when I could  read at leisure!  

Herbsttag

Walking and walking so much in the last few weeks brought to mind Rilke’s poem “Autumn Day”.

I feel almost lightheaded as I read his words, especially the last verse.

It describes my life during the long days and nights of winter.

This is when I miss my Husband.  He would understand my feelings.

Fluent in German he could help me with the translation.

 

Autumn Day*

Lord: it is time. The summer was great.
Lay your shadows onto the sundials
and let loose the winds upon the fields.

Command the last fruits to be full,
give them yet two more southern days,
urge them to perfection, and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

Who now has no house, builds no more.
Who is now alone, will long remain so,
will stay awake, read, write long letters
and will wander restlessly here and there
in the avenues, when the leaves drift.

* There are many translations but I like this one by J Mullen.