************************************************************

I want to be like one of those who race
With bolting steeds across the night-black air
With flaming torches like unfastened hair
Aflutter in the stormwind of their chase.

Opening lines of The Boy by Rainer Maria Rilke,
as translated by Walter Arndt in The Best of Rilke

************************************************************


I suppose you would say that Mr. Rilke
Wrote in the wrong language
(because it’s not yours and you can’t understand it - and)
Because you simply haven’t bothered
To do the due diligence that is necessary
To grasp the wisdom of his words

And I would guess that you don’t like
Pictures drawn in black crayon
(because your eyes haven’t adjusted to the dark – and)
Because you’ve never seen a black rainbow
And haven’t bothered to consider that, in any color,
A rainbow is always a beautiful thing.

And I suspect that you think only white pearls
Should be hung around one’s neck
(because you’ve never worn a strand of black - and)
Because you don’t realize that you’re being choked
By the pretty necklace that someone bought for you
Were it black, it would at least be ironic.

And I see you rapt by the nightingale’s song
Disturbed by the raven that chased her off
(because you fear the raven for no real reason - and)
Because you don’t like the song he’s singing
Even when he's trying to tell you something
That you really need to hear.


But I prefer Rilke to Frost
And black crayon to yellow
The black pearl to the white
And the raven to the nightingale

(because I think I understand them - and)
Because I, too, abhor sameness and expectation


And tonight…
As gentle breeze gusts to gale
I draw a bit closer to those steeds.

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Racing With Steeds Contributed by Silent-No-More on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 12:57:30 AM in AEST Topic: poets ************************************************************ I want to be like one of those who race With bolting steeds across the night-black air With flaming torches like unfastened hair Aflutter in the stormwind of their chase. Opening lines of The Boy by Rainer Maria Rilke, as translated by Walter Arndt in The Best of Rilke ************************************************************ I suppose you would say that Mr. Rilke Wrote in the wrong language (because it’s not yours and you can’t understand it - and) Because you simply haven’t bothered To do the due diligence that is necessary To grasp the wisdom of his words And I would guess that you don’t like Pictures drawn in black crayon (because your eyes haven’t adjusted to the dark – and) Because you’ve never seen a black rainbow And haven’t bothered to consider that, in any color, A rainbow is always a beautiful thing. And I suspect that you think only white pearls Should be hung around one’s neck (because you’ve never worn a strand of black - and) Because you don’t realize that you’re being choked By the pretty necklace that someone bought for you Were it black, it would at least be ironic. And I see you rapt by the nightingale’s song Disturbed by the raven that chased her off (because you fear the raven for no real reason - and) Because you don’t like the song he’s singing Even when he's trying to tell you something That you really need to hear. But I prefer Rilke to Frost And black crayon to yellow The black pearl to the white And the raven to the nightingale (because I think I understand them - and) Because I, too, abhor sameness and expectation And tonight… As gentle breeze gusts to gale I draw a bit closer to those steeds. Copyright © Silent-No-More ... [ 2004-10-18 00:57:30] (Date/Time posted on site) Advertisments: Previous Posted Poem         | |         Next Posted Poem

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Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by deadheadpoet on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 01:05:59 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Great piece of work! Write on! Much peace.

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by ShadowDaughter on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 01:07:03 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) *reads it* *rereads it* *rereads it again* *is in poetic euphoria now* This is as good as it gets, on all the different levels possible. I'm awed and feel a little different, just for having read it. This won't be the last time I return to this page to read it. Wonderful, truly amazing job, hon. huggy bouquets, Nora

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Avarice_Riot on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 01:21:25 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Nice! I actually wanted to get a Wilke book the other day at the book store but it was too expensive. *weeps* Reading this only makes me want to get that book even more.

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Kindredblood_dragon on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 02:02:10 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) awesome poem, unusual but not in a bad way, cool to read painting clear pictures, an enjoyable read.

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Hurretje on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 02:04:25 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Wonderful work that really grabbed me... A pleasure to read. Do you know I've been at Rilke's grave in Raron, Swiss? It is really strange to be there, because it's such a small graveyard... Hugs, Hur

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Former_Member on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 09:56:24 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) I think it's all been said for me wow! wildejohnny.

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by pixie on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 10:48:19 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) great write, i enjoyed, pixie xx

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Nazmythian on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 11:06:15 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) And I would think no finer words are likely to cross my path This day or any other in those that are soon to come ( because they have been issued by a worthy sister of the cause - and ) Because superficial sameness still runs rampant The collective fails miserably at creative comprehension And understanding demands independant thought With arms spead wide and a standing invitation, I beckon to SNM ... " Come, race the wind with me ... " And to hurrretje ~ ( who said ) "Do you know I've been at Rilke's grave in Raron, Swiss? It is really strange to be there, because it's such a small graveyard... " Dammit !! I don't do green well but I am wearing it after that statement !!! I'm jealous !!! Nazmythian ~

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by theMoth on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 03:28:23 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Hmmmm.... Besides Naz, I still don't think most of the people who commented on this really get the point. Yes, it is well written, but the message is the most appreciable part. That is why my series The Poetic Avenger uses so much imagery and characters. Maybe if they see the Clones of poetry as disgusting, pathetic, and even evil they will finally understand what is wrong not just with poetry, but with the whole world. It's the mediocrity of the unimaginative, their insecurity, cliqueishness, and pro-conformist poetic fascism that must be destroyed. --Mothy

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Former_Member on Monday, 18th October 2004 @ 03:57:37 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) I'm trying to remember who showed you those black rainbows - I can't remember if it was V.S. or ShadowDaughter .. . marvellous they were, and you've used their power and impression to maximum effect here. Poetic avengers all should read this.

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Stitch on Tuesday, 19th October 2004 @ 08:44:11 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) I'm not familiar with Rilke, but this intrigues me. Do, tell me more. Well written and well said. Stitch

Re: Racing With Steeds (User Rating: 1 ) by Former_Member on Wednesday, 31st May 2006 @ 03:27:23 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) So, okay, yeah, you say you can't draw good but wow....this was like reading (seeing) a work of art. Very vivid and very astonishing. Amazed at how you describe things through your artwork....er, um, poetry. ;-) Timbo