'The Song Of The Blindman' by Rainer Maria Rilke


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I am blind, you out there -- that is a curse,
against one's will, a contradiction,
a heavy daily burden.
I lay my hand on the arm of my wife,
my grey hand upon her greyer grey,
as she guides me through empty spaces.

You move about and stir, and imagine
your sounds differing from stone to stone.
But you are mistaken: I alone
live and suffer and complain, for
in me is an endless crying,
and I do not know whether it is
my heart that cries or my bowels.

Do you recognize these songs? You never sang them,
not quite with this intonation.
For you every morning brings its new light
warm through your open windows.
And you have the feeling from face to face
that tempts you to be indulgent.


Translated by Albert Ernest Flemming

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Song Of The Blindman: A Masterpiece of Rainer Maria Rilke

Who says that a poem needs to be visually appealing? Who says that a poem needs to describe the physical appearance of things? Rainer Maria Rilke's "The Song of the Blindman" defies these conventional notions of poetry by presenting a world that is not seen but felt. This poem is a masterpiece that reveals the depths of human emotions and the power of imagination.

The Poem and Its Structure

"The Song of the Blindman" consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in free verse, without any pattern of rhyme or meter. This form of poetry allows Rilke to express his thoughts freely and to create a more natural flow of words. The lack of a strict pattern also emphasizes the fluidity of the images and emotions that the poem is trying to convey.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem begins with an image of a blind man walking alone in the darkness. He is a figure of isolation, cut off from the world around him. Nevertheless, his blindness does not hinder his ability to perceive the world around him. He can feel the wind on his face, the rustle of leaves beneath his feet, and the scent of flowers in the air. Through his senses, he experiences a world that is not seen but felt. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the work, which is a celebration of the power of imagination and the human spirit.

As the poem progresses, the blind man begins to sing. His song is not one of sadness or despair, but of joy and hope. It is a song that celebrates life and the beauty of the world around him. The song is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and to the power of imagination.

The poem's third stanza contains a powerful metaphor that captures the essence of the poem. The blind man compares his song to a boat that sails through the darkness. The boat is a metaphor for the human spirit, which can navigate the difficulties of life and find its way through even the darkest of times. The boat is also a symbol of hope, which can carry us through the storms of life and guide us towards a brighter tomorrow.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of memory. The blind man sings of memories that are no longer visible, but that still linger in his mind. These memories are a reminder of the past, and they serve as a source of comfort and inspiration. The blind man's memories are a testament to the power of the human mind to create images and to hold on to them, even when they are no longer present in the physical world.

In the fifth stanza, the blind man's song transforms into a prayer. He prays for the world to be filled with light and for the darkness to be lifted. His prayer is a plea for hope and for the human spirit to prevail over the darkness of the world. The blind man's prayer is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and that the human spirit can overcome even the most difficult of challenges.

The final stanza of the poem brings the blind man's song to a close. He sings of the stars in the sky, which serve as a symbol of hope and inspiration. The stars are a reminder that even in the darkness, there is always light, and that even in the most difficult of times, there is always hope. The blind man's song is a celebration of life and of the human spirit, and it is a testament to the power of imagination and the resilience of the human spirit.

Interpretation of the Poem

"The Song of the Blindman" is a poem that celebrates the power of the human spirit and the resilience of the human soul. It is a poem that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and that the human spirit can overcome even the most difficult of challenges.

The blind man in the poem is a figure of isolation, cut off from the world around him. Nevertheless, his blindness does not hinder his ability to perceive the world around him. Through his senses, he experiences a world that is not seen but felt. This is a powerful metaphor for the human spirit, which can navigate the difficulties of life and find its way through even the darkest of times.

The blind man's song is a celebration of life and of the beauty of the world around him. It is a testament to the power of imagination and the resilience of the human spirit. The blind man's song is also a prayer for hope and for the human spirit to prevail over the darkness of the world.

The poem's structure, with its free verse and lack of a strict pattern, emphasizes the fluidity of the images and emotions that the poem is trying to convey. The lack of a pattern also allows Rilke to express his thoughts freely and to create a more natural flow of words.

In conclusion, "The Song of the Blindman" is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the power of the human spirit and the resilience of the human soul. It is a poem that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and that the human spirit can overcome even the most difficult of challenges. This poem is a celebration of life and of the power of imagination, and it is a testament to the enduring nature of the human spirit.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Song Of The Blindman: A Masterpiece of Rainer Maria Rilke

Rainer Maria Rilke, a renowned German poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his profound and thought-provoking works. One of his most celebrated poems, "The Song Of The Blindman," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human existence and the beauty of life.

The poem is a poignant portrayal of a blind man's journey through life, and his realization of the true meaning of sight. It is a powerful and moving piece that speaks to the heart of every reader, and leaves a lasting impression on the mind.

The poem begins with the blind man's lamentation over his inability to see the world around him. He speaks of the beauty of nature, the colors of the sky, and the faces of his loved ones, all of which he is unable to see. He longs for the gift of sight, and wonders what it would be like to see the world as others do.

However, as the poem progresses, the blind man's perspective begins to shift. He realizes that sight is not the only way to experience the world, and that there are other senses that can bring just as much joy and wonder. He speaks of the sounds of nature, the touch of a loved one's hand, and the taste of food, all of which he can experience fully despite his blindness.

The blind man's journey of self-discovery is a powerful metaphor for the human experience. We all have limitations and obstacles that we must overcome, but it is through these challenges that we learn to appreciate the beauty of life. The blind man's realization that there is more to life than sight is a reminder that we should never take our senses for granted, and that there is always something to be grateful for.

Rilke's use of language in the poem is both beautiful and powerful. He employs vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the blind man's emotions and experiences. For example, he describes the blind man's longing for sight as a "thirst," and his realization of the beauty of other senses as a "revelation." These metaphors not only add depth to the poem, but also make it more relatable to readers.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its structure. It is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different stage in the blind man's journey. The first stanza is characterized by the blind man's lamentation, the second by his realization, and the third by his acceptance. This structure not only adds to the poem's overall coherence, but also emphasizes the blind man's transformation.

In conclusion, "The Song Of The Blindman" is a masterpiece of Rainer Maria Rilke that captures the essence of the human experience. It is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of every reader, and leaves a lasting impression on the mind. Through the blind man's journey of self-discovery, we are reminded of the beauty of life, and the importance of appreciating what we have. Rilke's use of language and structure make the poem both beautiful and powerful, and ensure that it will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.

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