God Speaks to Each of Us
God Speaks to Each of Us - context Summary
From the Book of Hours
This poem, from Rilke's The Book of Hours, reads like a devotional address in which God preexists and companions the speaker. God urges the beloved to embrace sensation, longing, beauty and dread as necessary to spiritual belonging. The poem frames life as a nearby land known by its reality, and concludes with an intimate summons—Give me your hand.
Its voice blends mystical counsel and existential invitation.
God speaks to each of us before we are, Before he's formed us — then, in cloudy speech, But only then, he speaks these words to each And silently walks with us from the dark: Driven by your senses, dare To the edge of longing. Grow Like a fire's shadowcasting glare Behind assembled things, so you can spread Their shapes on me as clothes. Don't leave me bare. Let it all happen to you: beauty and dread. Simply go — no feeling is too much — And only this way can we stay in touch. Near here is the land That they call Life. You'll know when you arrive By how real it is. Give me your hand.
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