Lady At A Mirror

Rainer Maria Rilke

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As in sleeping-drink spices
softly she loosens in the liquid-clear
mirror her fatigued demeanor;
and she puts her smile deep inside.

And she waits while the liquid
rises from it; then she pours her hair
into the mirror, and, lifting one
wondrous shoulder from the evening gown,

she drinks quietly from her image. She drinks
what a lover would drink feeling dazed,
searching it, full of mistrust; and she only

beckons to her maid when at the bottom
of her mirror she finds candles, wardrobes,
and the cloudy dregs of a late hour.

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Comments2
  • jacintohensley

    WOW, THIS POEM REALLY GOT ME IN MY FEELS. THE WAY RAINER MARIA RILKE DESCRIBES THE WOMAN IS BOTH MESMERISING AND MELANCHOLY. I COULDN'T HELP BUT PICTURE EACH DETAIL IN MY MIND. BUT WHAT IS MEANING BEHIND THIS POEM, IS IT ABOUT SOLITUDE OR IS THE LADY TRYING TO ESCAPE FROM SOMETHING? ANY INSIGHT WOULD BE APPRECIATED!

    • Ginalollobrigada

      Just read "Lady at a Mirror", really touched me. Felt so serene yet sad... Kinda like looking into someone's soul. Great words, touchin' and thought provokin'.