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Poems from the Book of Hours/Das Stundenbuch
Poems from the Book of Hours/Das Stundenbuch | Rainer Maria Rilke
8 posts | 3 read | 3 to read
Rilke s Book of Hours falls into three parts: The Book of Monkish Life (1899), The Book of Pilgrimage (1901), and The Book of Poverty and Death (1903). Although these poems were the work of Rilke s youth, they contain the germ of his mature convictions. Written as spontaneously received prayers, they celebrate a God who is not the Creator of the Universe, but seems to be rather humanity itself, and, above all, that most intensely conscious part of humanity, the artist. This exquisite gift edition contains Babette Deutsch s classic translations, which capture the rich harmony and suggestive imagery of the originals, allowing interpretations both religious and philosophical, and transporting the reader to new heights of inspiration and musicality."
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quote
BarbaraJean
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I am the rest between two notes
which, struck together, sound discordantly,
because death‘s note would claim a higher key.

But in the dark pause, trembling, the notes meet,
harmonious.
And the song continues sweet.

kindergartenkat Rilke is amazing. This quote is amazing. 4y
29 likes1 comment
review
BarbaraJean
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Pickpick

My only complaint about this collection of poems from Rilke‘s Book of Hours is that it‘s too brief. I didn‘t realize how tiny it would be (both in length & trim size) when I placed my library hold! In spite of how short it was, I loved Rilke‘s “love poems to God”—crammed full of intense & unique images, and so rich for reflection. I‘ve been running into Rilke‘s poems everywhere lately—need to get myself a more lengthy edition of these poems, soon.

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quote
BarbaraJean
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Put out my eyes, and I can see you still;
slam my ears to, and I can hear you yet;
and without any feet can go to you;
and tongueless, I can conjure you at will.
Break off my arms, I shall take hold of you
and grasp you with my heart as with a hand;
arrest my heart, my brain will beat as true;
and if you set this brain of mine afire,
upon my blood I then will carry you.

MayJasper Blimey, a bit OTT 4y
26 likes1 comment
quote
BarbaraJean
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Even he who loves you and discerns your face
in darkness, when he trembles like a light
you breathe upon,—he cannot own you quite.
And if at night one holds you closely pressed,
locked in his prayer so you cannot stray,
you are the guest who comes,
but not to stay.

God, who can hold you? To yourself alone
belonging, by no owner‘s hand disturbed,
you are like unripened wine that unperturbed
grows ever sweeter and is all its own.

quote
Kerrbearlib
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Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.

BookishMe What a LOVELY scenery! 6y
Kerrbearlib @BookishMe thank you! 6y
14 likes2 comments
blurb
kuhkuhbird
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Guaranteed to solicit odd looks in the Raleigh - Durham airport. #nationalpoetrymonth #traveling

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Perfect reading material then! 👍 7y
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review
cdreincarnate
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So good it makes me want to read the full Book of Hours. Gonna have to see if there's an English translation of the whole thing. #readharderchallenge

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cdreincarnate
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Well, damn if that isn't religion in a nutshell.