Your poetry begets music, but

only to the poor.

The poor hear each note of hunger

upon their wanderings; whether city, or fields,

or highways off the desert roads, the poor

shall always hear these tattered tunes

laying threadbare, frayed at the heel

of existence.

Your Russian journeys lead you to God,

unbeknownst, an intimate encounter,

your sensitivities swirling within your soul

as you reel it all in, as a fisherman wrenches

his load from the nets of starvation.

Your soulful lingering does you no harm.

Listen, can you hear the whimpering

of little children, of mothers, and lovers,

and peoples, everywhere?

Their derelict voices heard only by angels.

You, oh Rainer, speak to the trees, the leaves, why

even the city walls that speak of impoverishment

rising from the streets of stone. Praise Rilke!

Praise God, for in the nights of dark bitterness

await comfort to the poor in spirit,

those who never knew shall not know

until stripped naked before the courts

of the earthly attire.

Praise Rainer Maria Rilke, for your every word.

Praise God.


6 thoughts on “Reading Rilke’s Book of Hours Upon Awakening During an Early Morning Freeze

    1. Morning Devon! Thank you for your beautiful comment. I am delighted you found enjoyment. I love Rilke and his intuitive insights to his surroundings on his travels. He speaks quite deeply in his metaphors and this is what jumps out at me. Pondering his work, we are witness to learn of key, fundamental pulsations of the heart that very clearly remain human. Thank you friend.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Hello John. You are welcome. I found it rather serendipitous to come upon your piece while I was enjoying Rilke on a frosty morning with coffee. I’ve been devouring his selected works as edited and translated by Stephen Mitchell. What I find most interesting and compelling about his work is this slow progression to the “distrust” of self or “selfness” and a willingness to let go of the ways of the world while at the same time being dragged back into it and a certain doubt, an argument, that anything exists beyond it, if that makes any sense.



      2. Hey Devon. I do believe we have a mutual sense of agreement regarding Rilke’s in-depth work and the manner in which he chose to present it. I have been studying spirituality, religious studies, humanities, as well as poetry for years now, and have learned “the way of intuitiveness” is when and where we actually begin to learn. Rilke’s personality speaks in an intuitive manner where so much soul-searching is evident. You have made a clear case regarding your statement and I most certainly do agree. I believe individuals as us are called “seekers” and an imperative to a well rounded life.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. At the very least, and hopefully, a life where curiosity turns inward and into the very heart of being, faith, impermanence — and I dare say, the interdependence of all things frail.



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