AUTUMN
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926) had a gift for using language
expressively to suggest inner meaning. He is considered as one of the greatest
20th Century poets in the German language. He was born in Prague and finally settled in Switzerland where he died. Born into a
society which was richly artistic, yet decadent, he was deeply sensitive and
aware of insecurity and ambiguity.
One of his best loved poems is “Herbsttag” – Autumn Day – widely quoted in German speaking countries at this time of year.
Lord, the time has come. Summer has been so full.
Drape your shadow over the sundials,
And set loose the winds across the open fields.
Command the last fruits to be ripe;
Grant them two more Southerly days,
Persuade them to perfection and press
The final drops of sweetness into the heavy wine.
He who has no house now, will build no more.
He who is alone now, will be so many days:
Will lie awake, read and write long letters
And will meander restlessly along the avenues,
Amongst the drifting leaves…..
(freely translated from Rilke)
The opening lines call forth the warmth and drowsiness of a long summer, and the lengthening shadows as the evening draws in. There is the powerful image of shadows being draped (shroud-like?) over the sundials. Already we sense the threat of the coming winter winds across the bare fields. This brings an urgency to laying down the fruits of the summer.
Rilke turns to the ripe fruit, in particular the grapes and the full wine with the strength of the sun to bring them to perfection by pressing the final drops of sweetness into them. With Rilke we experience the Indian summer and feel the precious moments of each day.
In his final stanza a bleak prospect is painted – and a warning to us to make the most of God’s gifts while we can. We are told that if we have not established our home – found the place where we belong – by the time the cold winter winds blow, we will find ourselves alone and drifting like the leaves falling from the trees. The prospect of writing long letters – to whom? About what? With or without an answer? – offers little consolation.
By his use of simple, unpretentious words, Rilke’s message evokes echoes with which we can identify. Even if we do not share his feeling of foreboding, the feelings of vulnerability which he expresses give rise to an uncomfortable chill.
Christopher Davies