Evening

Rainer Maria Rilke

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The sky puts on the darkening blue coat
held for it by a row of ancient trees;
you watch: and the lands grow distant in your sight,
one journeying to heaven, one that falls;

and leave you, not at home in either one,
not quite so still and dark as the darkened houses,
not calling to eternity with the passion of what becomes
a star each night, and rises;

and leave you (inexpressibly to unravel)
your life, with its immensity and fear,
so that, now bounded, now immeasurable,
it is alternately stone in you and star.

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Comments1
  • annabelle

    This poem had a serene, almost solemn feel to it. The juxtaposition of the "journeying to heaven" and "one that falls" really resonated with me. The imagery of the sky donning a darkening blue coat held by ancient trees was particularly enchanting. It's thought-provoking and deeply emotive.