— by Rainer Maria Rilke – from his French volume ‘Migration des Forces’

I claim my life entire, though anyone who calls it mine

deprives me, for I say it has no bounds.

The thrill of water, its airy hue

are mine—all this is mine, and more.

Any desire’s nothing to me: I am full.

I never withdraw, never refuse.

The rhythms of my simple soul

ignore desire—yet I am moved.

By this movement I retain my empire,

bring my evening dreams to life—

from the watery depths seduce

beyond any power of mirrors.

*

-a new translation by j. petroshius