Growing Orbits
"I live my life in growing orbits
which move out over the things of the world.
perhaps I can never achieve the last,
but that will be my attempt.
I am circling around God, around the ancient tower,
and I have been circling for a thousand years,
and I still don't know if I am a falcon, or a storm,
or a great song."
Rilke, 1899
posted by isaiah @ 8:31 AM
3 Comments:
I like that quote, very beautifully visual. I often feel like my orbits grow, then shrink, and grow again.
Interesting that easily-missed phrase, "achieve the last." Sounds like he was seeking enlightenment.
Cool poem. Falcon, storm, and song.
The other evening I heard Bill Moyers interview Robert Bly, and during the interview Robert Bly quoted this poem. I loved it when I first read it, and I loved it more hearing Robert's husky voice reciting it. And now here it is again, shared by a friend. Growing orbits.
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