Monday, August 8

From the Back of the Room

From the back of the room,
the bed,
only a pallor spread,
the starry window
surrendering to the greedy window
announcing the day.
But here comes the one who hurries,
who leans, and stays:
After night's abandonment,
it's this new and heavenly
girl's turn to say yes!

At nothing else in the morning sky,
the tender lover stares.
at nothing
but the enormous example of the sky himself:
the heights and depths!
Only doves making round arenas in the air,
where their flight flashing in soft arcs parades
a return of gentleness.

-- Rainer Maria Rilke
Translated by A. Poulin Jr.