Rilke Conference

The 35th Annual meeting of the International Rilke Society takes place in Boston this weekend.  I am beside myself, because in terms of poetry (and thus life) Rainer Maria Rilke has truly been a patron saint to me over the past several years.  Faced by the breadth of my gratitude and poverty of language, I guess it's best just share one of my favorite poems of Rilke's.  Enjoy.

                                          Aus unendlichen Sehnsüchten steigen
                                          endliche Taten wie schwache Fontänen,
                                          die sich zeitig und zitternd neigen.
                                          Aber, die sich uns sonst verschweigen,
                                          unsere fröhlichen kräfte—zeigen
                                          sich in diesen tanzenden Tränen.

                                          Out of infinite longings rise
                                          finite deeds like weak fountains,
                                          falling back timely and trembling.
                                          And yet, what otherwise remains silent,
                                          our happy energies—show
                                          themselves in these dancing tears.