"I am not one who was born in the custody of wisdom. I am one who is fond of olden times and intense in quest of the sacred knowing of the ancients." Gustave Courbet

04 December 2011

Happy Birthday, Rilke.

Poet Rainer Maria Rilke was born on this date in 1875.


As once winged delight
lifted you o'er many a former abyss,
build now bridges not yet conceived,
a bold and calculated venture.

Wonder's not only in the unexplained
overcoming of danger; only in a clearly intended
achievement does wonder become wonderful.

To affect life's course cannot be presumed
when the process can't be described
and the pattern becomes continually more intricate,
only -- to be swept along is not enough.

Stretch your practiced powers
until they reach between two
contradictions ... For in humanity
God wills to be disclosed.


- Rainer Maria Rilke

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