Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Rainer Maria Rilke


Autumn Day


Lord: it is time. The summer was immense.
Let thine shadows upon the sundials fall,
and unleash the winds upon the open fields.

Command the last fruits into fullness;
give them just two more ripe, southern days,
urge them into completion and press
the last bit of sweetness into the heavy wine.

He who has no house now, will no longer build.
He who is alone now, will remain alone,
will awake in the night, read, write long letters,
and will wander restlessly along the avenues,
back and forth, as the leaves begin to blow.

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2 comments:

Collin Kelley said...

Essential poetry. Thanks for sharing.

Nick said...

I'm rereading his letters to a young poet. While not so young (as the poet in question) I'm hoping that I'll be inspired to write poetry with a renewed passion.