Widening Circles
I live my life in widening circles
that reach out across the world.
I may not complete this last one
but I give myself to it.
that reach out across the world.
I may not complete this last one
but I give myself to it.
I circle around God, around the primordial tower.
I’ve been circling for thousands of years
and I still don’t know: am I a falcon,
a storm, or a great song?
I’ve been circling for thousands of years
and I still don’t know: am I a falcon,
a storm, or a great song?
Rilke, The Book of Hours I, 2
Joanna Macy read this poem while being interviewed by Krista Tippett, On Being. She was profoundly awakened in Germany by Rilke.
