not all who wander are lost

not all who wander are lost

Thursday, May 20, 2010

From Rilke's Book of Hours

How surely gravity's law,
strong as an ocean current,
takes hold of even the smallest thing
and pulls it toward the heart of the world.

Each thing-
each stone, blossom, child-
is held in place.
Only we, in our arrogance,
push out beyond what we each belong to
for some empty freedom.

If we surrendered
to earth's intelligence
we could rise up rooted, like trees.

Instead we entangle ourselves
in knots of our own making
and struggle, lonely and confused.

So, like children, we begin again
to learn from the things,
because they are in God's heart;
they have never left him.

This is what the things can teach us:
to fall,
patiently to trust our heaviness.
Even a bird has to do that
before he can fly.

II, 16

3 comments:

emily said...

Yes. Gravity, God, the heart center, beginning again. Good poem to start the day with. Xo

della said...

Sara and Leo, you have been on my mind all day/week. This poem is something to ponder for me. I don't like the line that says "Only we in our arrogance, push out beyond what we each belong to for some empty freedom" Many times I think those 'reachings'and 'struggles' are what make us who we are. They too teach us many things. SO, my words of wisdom may be to keep pushing out with that arrogance and it is worth the struggle to be the unique individual that you are.

MountainWave said...

I have to agree with you. I would have written this poem differently too but they are Rilke's words and I appreciate his perspective tho' it is not exactly mine.

That we have many things to learn from the world around us: how to fall, how to fail, to feel our precious weight and fullness of Being, in times of joy AS WELL AS SORROW or tragedy---the art of living. These are the nuggets I take away and savour.

I love that this poem prompted you to put words to your truth and speak your wisdom. Thank you for sharing it with us. This spark and striving of yours is what makes you YOU.....I love love love it. I agree with you....TOTALLY~