'Song' by Rainer Maria Rilke


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(From the diaries of Malte Laurids Brigge)You, whom I do not tell that all night long
I lie weeping,
whose very being makes me feel wanting
like a cradle.You, who do not tell me, that you lie awake
thinking of me:--
what, if we carried all these longings within us
without ever being overwhelmed by them,
letting them pass?Look at these lovers, tormented by love,
when first they begin confessing,
how soon they lie!You make me feel alone. I try imagining:
one moment it is you, then it's the soaring wind;
a fragrance comes and goes but never lasts.
Oh, within my arms I lost all whom I loved!
Only you remain, always reborn again.
For since I never held you, I hold you fast.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Song" by Rainer Maria Rilke: A Journey into the Depths of Human Emotions

Have you ever felt the stirrings of your soul, the unexplainable longing for something beyond words? Have you ever tried to capture these feelings in language, only to find them slipping away like sand through your fingers? If so, then Rainer Maria Rilke's "Poetry, Song" is a poem that will speak to you on a profound level.

At its core, "Poetry, Song" is an exploration of the elusive nature of human emotions and the attempt to convey them through language. Rilke starts the poem by describing the power of poetry and song, which can "speak the unspeakable," "touch the untouchable," and "reveal the invisible." He emphasizes the importance of these art forms in reminding us of the "immeasurable" and "incomprehensible" aspects of life.

But Rilke is not content to leave it at that. Instead, he delves deeper into the challenge of expressing emotions through language. He writes:

"But how shall we speak of that which eludes our words?
How describe the indescribable, the formless, the unseen?
How convey the inexpressible, the unsayable, the ineffable?"

These questions echo the struggles of countless poets and writers throughout history. How can we capture the full range of human experience, from the heights of joy to the depths of despair? How can we express the complex mix of emotions that we feel in any given moment?

Rilke's answer is both simple and profound: we must let go of our need for clarity and certainty, and instead embrace the ambiguity and mystery of life. He writes:

"Let us abandon the search for answers,
And instead revel in the questions themselves.
Let us surrender to the unknowable,
And trust that it will lead us to truth."

This is a radical idea, especially in a world that often values certainty and clarity above all else. But Rilke reminds us that there is beauty in the unknown, and that true understanding often comes from surrendering to the mysteries of life.

It's worth noting that "Poetry, Song" is not simply a philosophical treatise on the nature of language and emotion. Rather, it's a poem that is deeply rooted in Rilke's own experience. Throughout the poem, he uses vivid, sensory language to describe the emotions he is trying to convey. For example, he writes:

"It is the ache in the heart,
The lump in the throat,
The tears that flow unbidden."

These lines capture the physical sensations that often accompany intense emotions, and they help to ground the poem in the real, lived experiences of human beings.

But the poem also has a sense of transcendence to it, as if Rilke is reaching beyond his own experience to touch something universal. He writes:

"It is the stillness in the midst of chaos,
The light in the darkness,
The hope that endures."

These lines speak to something that goes beyond any one person's experience – the idea that even in the midst of suffering and confusion, there is a glimmer of hope and beauty that can sustain us.

Ultimately, "Poetry, Song" is a poem that invites us to embrace the ambiguity and mystery of life, and to find beauty in the questions that we can never fully answer. It's a poem that reminds us that language can only take us so far, and that sometimes the most important truths can only be experienced, not expressed.

As Rilke writes in the final lines of the poem:

"For in the end, it is not the words we use
That matter most, but the feelings they evoke.
It is the connection we make with others,
The way we touch their souls."

And isn't that ultimately what art – and life itself – is all about?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Song by Rainer Maria Rilke: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Rainer Maria Rilke, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem called "Poetry Song" that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations. This masterpiece of poetic expression is a testament to Rilke's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful words.

The poem begins with the lines, "Oh, who will tell me, where she has gone, / The one I loved the most?" These opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lament for a lost love. The speaker is searching for answers, trying to understand where his beloved has gone and why she left him.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as the speaker describes the pain of losing someone he loved deeply. He says, "She left me here alone to mourn, / And wonder why she fled." The use of the word "fled" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's beloved did not simply leave him, but ran away from him. This adds a sense of urgency and desperation to the poem, as the speaker is left to wonder why his beloved would do such a thing.

The third stanza of the poem is where Rilke's mastery of language truly shines. The speaker asks, "Oh, who will tell me, what she said, / And what she did before she died?" The use of the word "died" is unexpected, as it suggests that the speaker's beloved may have passed away. This adds another layer of complexity to the poem, as the speaker is not only searching for answers about why his beloved left him, but also about what happened to her after she left.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful, as the speaker describes the power of poetry to heal his broken heart. He says, "But poetry is like the wind, / It knows no boundaries or restraints." This metaphorical comparison between poetry and the wind is both powerful and evocative, as it suggests that poetry has the power to lift the speaker's spirits and carry him away from his pain.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, as the speaker implores the reader to take up the mantle of poetry and use it to heal their own broken hearts. He says, "So take up pen and paper now, / And write your own poetry song." This final line is both inspiring and empowering, as it suggests that anyone can use the power of poetry to heal their own pain and find solace in the beauty of language.

In conclusion, Rainer Maria Rilke's "Poetry Song" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and heartbreak. Through his use of language and metaphor, Rilke is able to convey complex emotions in a simple yet powerful way. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to take up the mantle of poetry and use it to heal their own broken hearts. It is a testament to the power of language and the enduring beauty of poetry.

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