h2g2 Translator: Autumn Day, by Rilke

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The year is turning poetic. Tavaron shares a translation of this poem by Rilke from 1902.

Tavaron writes:

'It's one of my favourite poems.

Also attached is a recent look out of my living room window one morning, when I was feeding the baby.'

We think she's captured that feeling of connection between the turning of the seasons and human life.

Herbsttag, by Rainer Maria Rilke

Herr, es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.
Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,
und auf den Fluren lass die Winde los.
Befiehl den letzten Früchten, voll zu sein;
gib ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage,
dränge sie zur Vollendung hin, und jage
die letzte Sü ße in den schweren Wein.
Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.
Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben,
wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben
und wird in den Alleen hin und her
unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.
 Foggy autumn morning in Austria. 

Autumn day, as translated by Tavaron

Lord, it is time. Your summer was so great.
Now lay down your shadows on the sundials,
and let loose the winds in the fields.
Order the last fruits to be full;
give them just two more southern days,
force them to perfection, and drive
the final sweetness into the heavy grapes.
Those without a house will build no more.
Those who are alone will stay so for a long time,
will lie awake, read, write long letters
and restlessly wander back and forth
in the avenues, when the leaves are chased by the wind.

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