Of course, everyone has been on their own person journey a long time, so truly we are all travelers.
Lately, the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke has been coursing through me. This lyrical and intense Austrian poet reminds me in times of struggle and pain, don’t hide…ring out like a bell tower and stay connected those that love you and the things that you love. (Of course it also reminds me how beautiful German can be, so I’ve shared the original here and the translation below…)
Sonette an Orpheus – XXIX
Stiller Freund der vielen Fernen, fühle,
wie dein Atem noch den Raum vermehrt.
Im Gebälk der finstern Glockenstühle
laß dich läuten. Das, was an dir zehrt,
wird ein Starkes über dieser Nahrung.
Geh in der Verwandlung aus und ein.
Was ist deine leidendste Erfahrung ?
Ist dir Trinken bitter, werde Wein.
Sei in dieser Nacht aus Übermaß
Zauberkraft am Kreuzweg deiner Sinne,
ihrer seltsamen Begegnung Sinn.
Und wenn dich das Irdische vergaß,
zu der stillen Erde sag : Ich rinne.
Zu dem raschen Wasser sprich : Ich bin
RING!
Quiet friend who has come so far,
feel how your breathing makes more space around you.
Let this darkness be a bell tower
and you the bell. As you ring,
what batters you becomes your strength.
Move back and forth into the change.
What is it like, such intensity of pain?
If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine.
In this uncontainable night,
be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses,
the meaning discovered there.
And if the world has ceased to hear you,
say to the silent earth: I flow.
To the rushing water, speak: I am.
Sonnets to Orpheus II, 29
A Cup A Day 