Jan 14 2011

Rainer Maria Rilke – I believe in all that has never yet been spoken

Published by at 9:17 am under Poetry

I believe in all that has never yet been spoken
by Rainer Maria Rilke

English version by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy

I believe in all that has never yet been spoken.
I want to free what waits within me
so that what no one has dared to wish for

may for once spring clear
without my contriving.

If this is arrogant, God, forgive me,
but this is what I need to say.
May what I do flow from me like a river,
no forcing and no holding back,
the way it is with children.

Then in these swelling and ebbing currents,
these deepening tides moving out, returning,
I will sing you as no one ever has,

streaming through widening channels
into the open sea.

— from Rilke’s Book of Hours: Love Poems to God, by Rainer Maria Rilke / Translated by Joanna Macy


/ Photo by Lel4nd /

What can I say to this poem but — Amen!

May we all find the key that unlocks within ourselves creativity, capability, compassion…. that our lives may become a more perfect song to the Eternal.

So what waits within you?

Rainer Maria Rilke, Rainer Maria Rilke poetry, Secular or Eclectic poetry Rainer Maria Rilke

Germany (1875 – 1926) Timeline
Secular or Eclectic

More poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke

 

 


/ Photo by Patrick Hoesly /

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7 responses so far

7 Responses to “Rainer Maria Rilke – I believe in all that has never yet been spoken”

  1. # franon 14 Jan 2011 at 1:13 pm

    thanks so much, started reading out loud and had to go back over, ..”so what no one may dare to wish for….my contriving” to really appreciate, understand..the entire poem resinates with me and I will be sharing with friends.. ditto with the Amen……….peace

  2. # Teti Mardianaon 14 Jan 2011 at 1:30 pm

    very much of hope… belief… desire…. to get eternal happiness…

  3. # Rachelon 14 Jan 2011 at 8:28 pm

    This might be my favorite poem ever.

  4. # simonbaghon 15 Jan 2011 at 8:47 am

    what contriving
    all life just once you can escape it

  5. # akeem akinniyion 18 Jan 2011 at 1:07 am

    …the power of innocence.

  6. # nasihaon 20 Jan 2011 at 12:13 am

    amen to that!
    beautiful

  7. # poetry break: rainer maria rilke « whollyafoolon 22 Jan 2011 at 7:55 am

    […] -Rainer Maria Rilke English version by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy (source) […]

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