'What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands?' by Rainer Maria Rilke


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What fields are as fragrant as your hands?
You feel how external fragrance stands
upon your stronger resistance.
Stars stand in images above.
Give me your mouth to soften, love;
ah, your hair is all in idleness.See, I want to surround you with yourself
and the faded expectation lift
from the edges of your eyebrows;
I want, as with inner eyelids sheer,
to close for you all places which appear
by my tender caresses now.

Editor 1 Interpretation

What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands? A Deep Dive Into Rainer Maria Rilke's Poetry

Are you ready to delve into the world of Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry and explore the captivating beauty of his words? If so, then let's take a closer look at his masterpiece, "What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands?"

Introduction

Rilke is considered one of the most significant poets of the 20th century, and his works have inspired countless readers and writers. His poetry is known for its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and philosophical reflections.

"What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands?" is one of Rilke's most celebrated poems, and for a good reason. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the beauty of nature. Through his words, Rilke expresses the profound connection between two lovers and their surroundings, creating a sense of unity and harmony.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at the poem and explore its central themes and literary devices.

The Power of Love

The first stanza of the poem sets the mood and tone of the piece, introducing us to the speaker's beloved. The speaker describes their lover's hands as fragrant fields, evoking a sense of sensuality and intimacy.

What fields are as fragrant as your hands?
You feel how external fragrance stands
Upon your stronger resistance.

The second stanza expands on the idea of love, describing it as a force that connects two people and transforms their surroundings. The speaker suggests that love is not only a feeling but also a state of being, a way of seeing the world.

Stars stand up in the sky.
So many of them -- which ones can I say
I love you best, I love you infinitely.

Here, Rilke's use of imagery creates a sense of vastness and wonder, highlighting the eternal and boundless nature of love.

Nature and the Human Experience

The third stanza of the poem is where Rilke's poetic prowess shines through. The speaker describes the beauty of nature, comparing it to the beloved's hands. The use of natural imagery, such as the moon and the sea, creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.

Moon, and evening,
And my eyes vacant, and the moon's light.
And the breeze across my nape.

The last stanza of the poem brings everything together, connecting love, nature, and the human experience. The speaker suggests that the beloved's hands are a reflection of the natural world, imbued with the same beauty and mystery.

Who are you, then?
I am the moon's closest kin.
I have spoken more than once
To my own shadow on the grass.

Through his words, Rilke invites us to see the world in a new light, to appreciate the beauty of nature and the power of love.

Literary Devices

Rilke's use of literary devices in "What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands?" is nothing short of masterful. His choice of words, imagery, and syntax creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, elevating the poem to the level of art.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is the repetition of the phrase "I love you." The speaker repeats this phrase throughout the piece, emphasizing the central theme of love and its transformative power.

Rilke also uses vivid imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of natural imagery, such as the moon and the sea, creates a sense of vastness and wonder, while the description of the beloved's hands as fragrant fields evokes a sense of sensuality and intimacy.

The poem's syntax is also noteworthy, as Rilke uses short, simple sentences to create a sense of immediacy and directness. This style of writing adds to the poem's emotional impact, creating a sense of intimacy between the reader and the speaker.

Conclusion

"What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands?" is a masterpiece of poetic art, a testament to the power of love and the beauty of nature. Through his words, Rainer Maria Rilke invites us to see the world in a new light, to appreciate the interconnectedness of all things.

The poem's vivid imagery, emotional depth, and philosophical reflections make it a timeless work of literature, one that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Rilke's poetry and discover the beauty and wonder that lies within.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands? A Poetic Masterpiece by Rainer Maria Rilke

Rainer Maria Rilke, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and insightful poetry that delves into the complexities of human emotions and the mysteries of life. His poem, "What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands?" is a beautiful ode to love and the power of touch.

The poem begins with the speaker asking a question, "What fields are as fragrant as your hands?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker compares the beauty and fragrance of nature to the beauty and fragrance of the beloved's hands. The use of the word "fragrant" is particularly significant, as it suggests that the beloved's hands are not only beautiful to look at but also have a pleasing scent, which adds to their allure.

The speaker goes on to describe the various natural elements that are often associated with beauty and fragrance, such as "the earth, the sun, the rain." However, he concludes that none of these can compare to the beauty and fragrance of the beloved's hands. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the beloved's hands are not just beautiful, but they are also unique and incomparable.

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of comparing the beloved's hands to natural elements. The speaker describes the beloved's hands as "the wind, the sea, the fire," which are all powerful and elemental forces of nature. By comparing the beloved's hands to these forces, the speaker is suggesting that the beloved's touch is just as powerful and elemental.

The speaker then goes on to describe the effect that the beloved's touch has on him. He says that it "awakens me like a dewdrop," which is a beautiful metaphor that suggests that the beloved's touch is refreshing and rejuvenating. The speaker also describes the beloved's touch as "a wave that lifts me up," which is another powerful metaphor that suggests that the beloved's touch has the power to lift the speaker out of his mundane existence and into a higher state of being.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker declares that the beloved's touch is "the only one I want to know." This statement is significant because it suggests that the speaker has found true love and that the beloved's touch is the only touch that he desires. The speaker also says that the beloved's touch is "the only one by which I want to be consumed." This statement is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker wants to be completely consumed by the beloved's touch, to the point where he becomes one with the beloved.

In conclusion, "What Fields Are As Fragrant As Your Hands?" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of love and touch. Rainer Maria Rilke's use of metaphors and imagery is masterful, and he manages to convey the depth of the speaker's emotions in a few short stanzas. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of touch in human relationships.

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