What birds plunge through is not the intimate space,
in which you see all Forms intensified.
(In the Open, denied, you would lose yourself,
would disappear into that vastness.)
Space reaches from us and translates Things:
to become the very essence of a tree,
throw inner space around it, from that space
that lives in you. Encircle it with restraint.
It has no limits. For the first time, shaped
in your renouncing, it becomes fully tree.
Back to Rainer Maria Rilke
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry ↓
To be able to leave a comment here you must be registered. Log in or Sign up.
Comments2Confused by "Space reaches from us", wat does it mean? Didn't really enjoy dis poem.
"WHAT'S RILKE TALKING ABOUT "INNER SPACE AROUND A TREE"? DOES HE MEAN OUR PERCEPTIONS? KINDA CONFUSING FOR ME TBH."