Thursday, October 11, 2007

By Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1925)

She who reconciles the ill-matched threads
of her life, and weaves them gratefully
into a single cloth–
it's she who drives the loudmouths from the hall
and clears it for a different celebration

where the one guest is you.
In the softness of evening
it's you she receives.

You are the partner of her loneliness,
the unspeaking center of her monologues.
With each disclosure you encompass more
and she stretches beyond what limits her,
to hold you.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Instructions For A Young Warrior-Priestess (draft)

Summon with fists unto yourself
Hope
Steadiness
Fierce kindness
And clear sight
STAND!
Back towards the fear
Not facing off
Though it may prickle on your neck
And do not turn around!
Waste not with open palm
Your own inheritance
Keep portions of your harvest
For yourself
To open-give
At every turn
Is just another carelessness
Honor your own respose
With time
Like yeast that
Makes dough rise
Like starter bread
Keep some for your self
Learn to keep some
For your self