Rilke’s importance to the history of literature in the twentieth century is based on the power and memorability of his lyrics, and on his successful struggle to articulate a new vision of the human relation to the rest of creation. Wright’s brilliant translations of some of Rilke’s neglected poems are now widely admired. They are here enhanced by an additional selection and a new introduction by the translator.
Table of Contents
Introduction • Translator’s Note • from NEW POEMS • David Sings For Saul • The Rose Window • God in the Middle Ages • Saint Sebastian • The Lace • Before the Summer rain • The King • The Island • Tombs of the Hetaerae • Orpheus, Eurydice, Hermes • Alcetis • The Last Judgment • Washing the Corpse • One of the Old Women • Lullaby • THE LIFE OF MARY • The Birth of Mary • The Presentation of Mary in the Temple • The Annunciation • The Visitation of Mary • Joseph’s Suspicion • Annunciation to the Shepherds • The Birth of Christ • Rest on the flight into Egypt • The Marriage at Cana • Before the Passion • Pieta • Quieting of Mary at the Resurrection • the Death of Mary • from THE UNCOLLECTED POEMS AND FRAGMENTS (1906-1926) • Improvisations of the Caprisian Winter • “To drink things dissolved and diluted...” • The Valley • “In the sun-accustomed lane...” • The Blessed • Mausoleum • “From time to time...” • “Never mind one day...” • “No, I’m not going to be destroyed...” • Autumn Evening • The Sick Child • From the Night Watches of Sister Godelieve • Walk at Night • “Oh in childhood, God, how easy you were...” • “Oh haven’t you known nights of love...” • Perseus • David • “Her smile had become...” • “Being, and confinement...” • Fragment of a Resurrection • To Lou Andreas-Salome • To the Awaited One • “Now we awaken with memories...” • The Raising of Lazarus • The Spanish Trilogy • “You must mourn for a long time...” • “In ignorance before the heavens of my life...” • Christ’s Descent into Hell • “Abandoned in the mountains of the heart...” • “Who can say, when I go to a window...” • “Wood pond, gentle, deep in self-communion...” • To Benvenuta • “The way water surfaces silently...” • Death • Requiem on the Death of a Boy • The Death of Moses • The Lord’s Words to John on Patmos • “We’re drawn to what is unaware of us...” • The Guest • Unfinished Elegy • The Hand • Baudelaire • “Regarding my answer I still don’t know...” • Vase Painting (Supper of the Dead) • “We are just mouth...” • “Loss too is ours...” • “Urns, tangled fruit of the poppy...” • “Oh, not to be excluded...” • “Now nothing can prevent me...” • “How should such a book not want to be...” • “Now it is time the gods stepped out...” • “Birds’ voices are starting to praise...” • Last Entry • Notes