The Mind

Presaging

by Rainer Maria Rilke 1875–1926

Translated by Jessie Lemont (1918) · From The Book of Pictures

The Mind

I am like a flag unfurled in space,
I scent the oncoming winds and must bend with them,
While the things beneath are not yet stirring,
While doors close gently and there is silence in the chimneys
And the windows do not yet tremble and the dust is still heavy--
Then I feel the storm and am vibrant like the sea
And expand and withdraw into myself
And thrust myself forth and am alone in the great storm.

MLA

Rilke, Rainer Maria. “Presaging.” Translated by Jessie Lemont. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rilke/2/.

Chicago

Rilke, Rainer Maria. “Presaging.” Translated by Jessie Lemont. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rilke/2/.

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