Friday, August 20, 2021

Flashback Friday: Rilke's Dedication

I originally shared this here on August 19, 2010.


Dedication 
A poem by Rainer Maria Rilke 

I have great faith in all things not yet spoken. 
I want my deepest pious feelings freed. 
What no one yet has dared to risk and warrant 
will be for me a challenge I must meet. 

If this presumptuous seems, God, may I be forgiven. 
For what I want to say to you is this: 
my efforts shall be like a driving force, 
quite without anger, without timidness 
as little children show their love for you. 

With these outflowing, river-like, with deltas 
that spread like arms to reach the open sea, 
with the recurrent tides that never cease 
will I acknowledge you, will I proclaim you 
as no one ever has before. 
 
And if this should be arrogance, 
so let me arrogant be to justify my prayer 
that stands so serious and so alone 
before your forehead, circled by the clouds.

For more poems by Rainer Maria Rilke and others visit PoemHunter.com

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