poetry texts, poem archive at plagiarist.com

Encircled by her arms as by a shell,
she hears her being murmur,
while forever he endures
the outrage of his too pure image...

Wistfully following their example,
nature re-enters herself;
contemplating its own sap, the flower
becomes too soft, and the boulder hardens...

It's the return of all desire that enters
toward all life embracing itself from afar...
Where does it fall? Under the dwindling
surface, does it hope to renew a center?


Translated by A. Poulin

Added: 2 Mar 2002 | Last Read: 25 Apr 2018 2:36 PM | Viewed: 7810 times

A PoetryNotes™ Analysis of Narcissus by Rainer Maria Rilke, is Available!

A PoetryNotes™ eBook is available for this poem for delivery within 24 hours, and usually available within minutes during normal business hours.

ON SALE - only $29.95 19.95!

For more information...