For Hans Carossa by Rainer Maria Rilke
For Hans Carossa
Rainer Maria Rilke
Translated by Stephen MitchellLosing too is still ours; and even forgetting
still has a shape in the kingdom of transformation.
When something’s let go of, it circles; and though we are
rarely the center
of the circle, it draws around us its unbroken, marvelous
curve.
MARGINALIA
Been sick the past few days. I want a brownie. Also I am trying not to write you a letter.
ABOUT RAINER MARIA RILKE
Rainer Maria Rilke was born on December 4, 1875, in Prague. By the time he enrolled at Charles University in Prague in 1895, he knew that he would pursue a literary career: he had already published his first volume of poetry, Leben und Lieder, the previous year. Between 1895 and 1896, Rilke published his second collection, Larenopfer (Sacrifice to the Lares). A third collection, Traumgekrönt (Dream-Crowned) followed in 1896. In 1919, Rilke went to Switzerland. It was here that he wrote… (more)
Read more poems by Rainer Maria Rilke • Find books by this poet on Amazon • Bookshop • Or view my library
ENDNOTES
- Read more translations by Stephen Mitchell • Or view more translated poems
- Explore other works in pursuit of: loss • memory • change • Or browse the index
- If this work resonates with you, please consider supporting the archive. Thank you for reading.
sh.
rilke teaches me the true meaning of beauty’s relation to terror. once again, i am lost for breath.