THE NINTH ELEGY” by Rainer Maria Rilke

Why, if it could begin as laurel, and be spent so, this space of Being, a little darker than all the surrounding green, with little waves at the edge of every leaf (like a breeze’s smile)—: why then have to be human — and shunning destiny long for destiny?… Oh, not because happiness exists, that over-hasty profit from imminent loss, not out of curiosity, or to practice the heart, which could exist in the laurel… But because being here is much, and because all that’s here seems to need us, the ephemeral, that strangely concerns us. We: the most ephemeral. Once, for each thing, only once. Once, and no more. And we too, once. Never again. But this once, to have been, though only once, to have been an earthly thing — seems irrevocable. […] Earth, is it not this that you want: to rise invisibly in us? — Is that not your dream, to be invisible, one day? — Earth! Invisible! What is your urgent command if not transformation? Earth, beloved, I will. O, believe me, you need no more Spring-times to win me: only one, ah, one, is already more than my blood can stand. Namelessly, I have been truly yours, from the first. You were always right, and your most sacred inspiration is that familiar Death. See I live. On what? Neither childhood nor future grows less… Excess of being wells up in my heart. Twitter：@camelliayang Website: https://www.camelliayang.com/ Join 1,000+ lifelong learners to receive a monthly newsletter from the Chiwi Journal.