Lord: it is time. The summer was immense.
Lay your shadow on the sundials
and let loose the wind in the fields.
Bid the last fruits to be full;
give them another two more southerly days,
press them to ripeness, and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.
Whoever has no house now will not build one
anymore.
Whoever is alone now will remain so for a long
time,
will stay up, read, write long letters,
and wander the avenues, up and down,
restlessly, while the leaves are blowing.
Well, I have to admit to not being much for poetry, I never seem to be able to 'get' what the author is saying. But 'this'... this is beautiful. I love it. Is the author well known in the US? I've not heard of him.
ReplyDeleteVery well known in literary circles and among poetry lovers. I had heard his name but never read anything by Rilke and then came upon Autumn Day. I am getting into poetry a bit provided it's poetry I can understand and whenever I come upon an accessible poem I like I have to share it.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Sounds a bit ominous even for an Autumn Day. I figure we have one month left before the shadow is on the sundials, lol. I have a poetry book of Rilke's on my shelf at home. I will have to see if this poem is in that collection. I like it.
ReplyDeleteI was curious too about what the poem is trying to say and A1 Overview explained it as follows:
Delete"Autumn is a season of both beauty and sadness. The poem captures this duality, highlighting the rich colors and ripeness of the season while also acknowledging the impending darkness...The poem ultimately suggests a need to accept the natural cycle of life, including its endings and transitions."
Love this.
ReplyDeleteI really liked it too and it's the first poem I have read by Rilke.
DeleteI love Rilke's poetry! His Letters to a Young Poet is amazing, too.
ReplyDeleteIts the first poem of his I have read and I want to check out Letters to A Young Poet.
DeleteThank you for sharing this--poems about the passing of summer and the coming autumn just work so well on our hearts. I think I need to print this out and reread and think on it. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it Jane. And I know how great you are at gardening so I am glad I posted it for you.
DeleteKathy, this is a nice poem... a kind of sad look at the transitions of the seasons and life as well I guess.
ReplyDeleteI read a bit on it and that's really what it is the seasons of life.
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