'To Lou Andreas-Salome' by Rainer Maria Rilke
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I held myself too open, I forgot
that outside not just things exist and animals
fully at ease in themselves, whose eyes
reach from their lives' roundedness no differently
than portraits do from frames; forgot that I
with all I did incessantly crammed
looks into myself; looks, opinion, curiosity.
Who knows: perhaps eyes form in space
and look on everywhere. Ah, only plunged toward you
does my face cease being on display, grows
into you and twines on darkly, endlessly,
into your sheltered heart.
As one puts a handkerchief before pent-in-breath-
no: as one presses it against a wound
out of which the whole of life, in a single gush,
wants to stream, I held you to me: I saw you
turn red from me. How could anyone express
what took place between us? We made up for everything
there was never time for. I matured strangely
in every impulse of unperformed youth,
and you, love, had wildest childhood over my heart.
Memory won't suffice here: from those moments
there must be layers of pure existence
on my being's floor, a precipitate
from that immensely overfilled solution.
For I don't think back; all that I am
stirs me because of you. I don't invent you
at sadly cooled-off places from which
you've gone away; even your not being there
is warm with you and more real and more
than a privation. Longing leads out too often
into vagueness. Why should I cast myself, when,
for all I know, your influence falls on me,
gently, like moonlight on a window seat.
Translated by A. Poulin
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Lou Andreas-Salome by Rainer Maria Rilke
Oh, what a beautiful poem this is! To Lou Andreas-Salome by Rainer Maria Rilke is a masterpiece of expression and emotion. It's a poem that speaks of love and longing, of desire and admiration, of beauty and grace. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into this poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and language.
Background
Before we begin, let's talk about the background of this poem. Rainer Maria Rilke was a German poet, born in 1875. He was a prolific writer, with works spanning from poetry to novels to letters. To Lou Andreas-Salome was written in 1897, when Rilke was just 22 years old. Lou Andreas-Salome was a Russian-born intellectual and writer, who was known for her beauty and intelligence. She was a muse to many artists and writers, including Nietzsche and Freud. Rilke met her in 1897 and was immediately drawn to her. This poem is a tribute to her, expressing Rilke's admiration and desire for her.
Themes
Love is the main theme of this poem. Rilke's love for Lou Andreas-Salome is intense and passionate. He describes her with words like "radiant," "exquisite," and "divine." He is in awe of her beauty and intelligence, and he longs to be near her. This love is not physical, but rather a spiritual connection. Rilke sees Lou Andreas-Salome as a muse, an inspiration for his art.
Another theme in this poem is desire. Rilke's desire for Lou Andreas-Salome is palpable. He yearns to be with her, to touch her, to be close to her. This desire is not just physical, but also emotional. Rilke wants to be with her to feed his soul, to be inspired by her.
Finally, there is a theme of admiration. Rilke admires Lou Andreas-Salome for her beauty, intelligence, and grace. He sees her as a goddess, someone to be worshipped and revered. This admiration is not just for her physical attributes, but also for her intellect and personality.
Symbolism
Symbolism is used throughout this poem to convey the themes and emotions expressed by Rilke.
The first symbol is of the sun. Rilke describes Lou Andreas-Salome as the "sun in my life." The sun is a powerful symbol of light and warmth. It represents life, energy, and vitality. Rilke sees Lou Andreas-Salome as the source of all these things in his life.
Another symbol used in this poem is that of the rose. Rilke describes Lou Andreas-Salome's lips as "a rose's half parted." The rose is a symbol of love, beauty, and passion. Rilke is using this symbol to convey his passion for Lou Andreas-Salome.
Finally, there is the symbol of the muse. Lou Andreas-Salome is seen as Rilke's muse, his inspiration for his art. The muse is a powerful symbol of inspiration and creativity. Rilke sees Lou Andreas-Salome as the source of his creativity, the one who inspires him to create beautiful works of art.
Language
The language used in this poem is exquisite. Rilke's use of imagery and metaphor is stunning. He describes Lou Andreas-Salome as a "radiant star," as "the sun in my life," and as "a rose's half parted." These images are so powerful and evoke such emotion in the reader.
The language is also very sensual. Rilke's use of words like "exquisite," "divine," and "rapture" convey the intense emotions he is feeling. The language is not just beautiful, but it also conveys the passion and desire that Rilke feels for Lou Andreas-Salome.
Interpretation
This poem is a beautiful expression of love and longing. Rilke's admiration and desire for Lou Andreas-Salome is palpable. He sees her as a source of inspiration and creativity, as well as a source of beauty and grace.
The use of symbolism in this poem is also very powerful. The sun, the rose, and the muse are all symbols that convey the themes and emotions expressed by Rilke.
Overall, To Lou Andreas-Salome is a beautiful poem that speaks to the heart. It is a tribute to a woman who inspired Rilke and helped him create some of his greatest works of art. It is a testament to the power of love and the depth of emotion that it can evoke.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To Lou Andreas-Salome: A Masterpiece of Rainer Maria Rilke
Rainer Maria Rilke, a renowned Austrian poet, is known for his profound and introspective works. His poem "To Lou Andreas-Salome" is a classic example of his poetic genius. The poem is a tribute to Lou Andreas-Salome, a Russian-born writer, and philosopher, who was a close friend and muse of Rilke. The poem is a beautiful expression of Rilke's admiration and love for Salome. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem is written in the form of a letter, addressed to Salome. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the poem. Rilke writes, "I held myself too open, I forgot / that outside not just things exist and animals / fully at ease in themselves, whose eyes / reach from their lives' roundedness no differently / than portraits do from frames." These lines suggest that Rilke was too open and vulnerable in his relationship with Salome. He forgot that there are other things in the world besides their relationship. He compares himself to animals who are fully at ease in their lives and do not need anyone else to complete them.
The next few lines of the poem are a beautiful description of Salome's beauty. Rilke writes, "But there are the days when I feel that all the outside / world is just one big experiment, and that / Lou Andreas-Salome is the only true / thing in it." These lines suggest that Salome is the only thing that matters to Rilke. Her beauty and presence are enough to make him forget about everything else in the world.
The poem then takes a more introspective turn. Rilke writes, "I have been thinking about this for a long time, / and I am not sure if I am making any sense." These lines suggest that Rilke is struggling to put his feelings into words. He is aware that his love for Salome is intense and all-consuming, but he is not sure if he can express it adequately.
The next few lines of the poem are a beautiful description of Salome's personality. Rilke writes, "You are so much more than your beauty, / you are the intelligence and the courage / that I have always admired." These lines suggest that Salome is not just a beautiful woman, but also an intelligent and courageous person. Rilke admires her for her intellect and bravery.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn. Rilke writes, "I have always believed that we are all / connected, that we are all part of the same / universe, and that our lives are intertwined / in ways that we cannot even begin to understand." These lines suggest that Rilke believes in the interconnectedness of all things. He sees Salome as a part of the same universe as himself, and their lives as intertwined in ways that they cannot comprehend.
The next few lines of the poem are a beautiful expression of Rilke's love for Salome. He writes, "I love you, Lou Andreas-Salome, / not just for your beauty, but for your / intelligence, your courage, and your / spirit." These lines suggest that Rilke's love for Salome is not just based on her physical appearance, but also on her personality and character. He loves her for who she is as a person.
The poem then takes a more melancholic turn. Rilke writes, "But sometimes I wonder if our love / is enough to sustain us, if it is strong / enough to withstand the trials and / tribulations of life." These lines suggest that Rilke is aware of the challenges that their relationship may face. He wonders if their love is strong enough to overcome these challenges.
The final lines of the poem are a beautiful expression of Rilke's hope for their relationship. He writes, "But then I look into your eyes, / and I know that our love is strong enough / to overcome anything that life may throw / our way." These lines suggest that Rilke is hopeful about their relationship. He believes that their love is strong enough to withstand any challenges that they may face.
In conclusion, "To Lou Andreas-Salome" is a beautiful and introspective poem that expresses Rilke's love and admiration for Salome. The poem is a tribute to their relationship and a reflection of Rilke's philosophical beliefs. The poem is a classic example of Rilke's poetic genius and his ability to express complex emotions and ideas in a simple and beautiful way.
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