Religion

Extinguish My Eyes

by Rainer Maria Rilke 1875–1926

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

Religion

Extinguish my eyes, I still can see you,
Close my ears, I can hear your footsteps fall,
And without feet I still can follow you,
And without voice I still can to you call.
Break off my arms, and I can embrace you,
Enfold you with my heart as with a hand.
Hold my heart, my brain will take fire of you
As flax ignites from a lit fire-brand--
And flame will sweep in a swift rushing flood
Through all the singing currents of my blood.

MLA

Rilke, Rainer Maria. “Extinguish My Eyes.” Translated by Jessie Lemont. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rilke/48/.

Chicago

Rilke, Rainer Maria. “Extinguish My Eyes.” Translated by Jessie Lemont. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rilke/48/.

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