Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Secular or Eclectic

20th Century

About Rainer Maria Rilke

Timeline (1875 - 1926)

Rainer Maria Rilke, Rainer Maria Rilke poetry, Secular or Eclectic, Secular or Eclectic poetry, poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

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English version by
Stephen Mitchell

Original Language
German

You, you only, exist.

Themes

Lover and Beloved

Recommended Books

	Ahead of All Parting: The Selected Poetry and Prose of Rainer Maria Rilke, Translated by Stephen Mitchell
	The Best of Rilke: 72 Form-True Verse Translations, Translated by Walter W. Arndt
	The Book of Hours: Prayers to a Lowly God, by Rainer Maria Rilke / Translated by Annemarie Kidder
	Duino Elegies, by Rainer Maria Rilke / Translated by David Young
	Engendering Inspiration: Visionary Strategies in Rilke, Lawrence, and H.D., by Helen Sword

More >>

You, you only, exist.
We pass away, till at last,
our passing is so immense
that you arise: beautiful moment,
in all your suddenness,
arising in love, or enchanted
in the contraction of work.

To you I belong, however time may
wear me away. From you to you
I go commanded. In between
the garland is hanging in chance; but if you
take it up and up and up: look:
all becomes a festival!

-- from Ahead of All Parting: The Selected Poetry and Prose of Rainer Maria Rilke, Translated by Stephen Mitchell

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Rainer Maria Rilke

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World