Seeing You: From Rilke





 

Sketch by Auguste Rodin

Extinguish my eyes, I’ll go on seeing you.
Seal my ears, I’ll go on hearing you.
And without feet I can make my way to you,
without a mouth I can swear your name.

Break off my arms, I’ll take hold of you
with my heart as with a hand.
Stop my heart, and my brain will start to beat.
And if you consume my brain with fire,

I’ll feel you burn in every drop of my blood.

          ~Rainer Maria Rilke

  

This poem by Rilke reminds me that love cannot be altered by physical changes (blindness, deafness, loss of limbs). When there is love, there is a transformation beyond the physical.  Love cannot be destroyed by fire.  Love is therefore something that is eternal. It is as vital to the body as blood.

      Some of Rilke's poems have been set to music by Brad Mehldau and sung by Renee Fleming, but I like this song with Yo-Yo Ma and find it more expressive and melodic.  It is called Touch The Hand Of Love.  Even though the words aren't by Rilke,  I think he would have approved. Love will never stop playing in your heart and ears.