Reading and Language 21 Mar 2006 03:58 pm
World Poetry Day
Gary mentioned that it’s World Poetry Day. I keep stumbling across Rilke references this month, so here’s something by Rilke, translated by Robert Bly:
You see, I want a lot.
Perhaps I want everything:
the darkness that comes with every infinite fall
and the shivering blaze of every step up.So many live on and want nothing,
And are raised to the rank of prince
by the slippery ease of their light judgments.But what you love to see are faces
that do work and feel thirst.You love most of all those who need you
As they need a crowbar or a hoe.You have not grown old, and it is not too late
To dive into your increasing depths
where life calmly gives out its own secret.
on 21 Mar 2006 at 5:05 pm 1.oddangel said …
So many live on and want nothing,
And are raised to the rank of prince
by the slippery ease of their light judgments.
That’s a fabulous line. However, I am wondering about the “slippery ease of their light judgments.” I don’t know the original German, but it seems like it’s one of those phrases that could have been translated slightly differently.