After reading the God Stuff entry on The Junky’s Wife blog, I felt inspired to share my own favorite Rilke poem. During the worst times of my life, Rilke’s Book of Hours was often the tiny string that kept me tethered to the world - a hope that perhaps life could be better. I cannot say how many lonely, desperate nights I cried after reading this poem. This is for those who are still suffering and your daily meditation for the day. I hope you find as much meaning and hope in this poem as I have. Thanks for the inspiration Junky’s Wife!
Gott spricht zu jedem nur, eh er ihn macht
God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.
