Just as the winged energy of delight
carried you over many chasms early on,
now raise the daringly imagined arch
holding up the astonishing bridges.
Miracle doesn’t lie only in the amazing
living through and defeat of danger;
miracles become miracles in the clear
achievement that is earned.
To work with things is not hubris
when building the association beyond words;
denser and denser the pattern becomes–
being carried along is not enough.
Take your well-disciplined strengths
and stretch them between two
opposing poles. Because inside human beings
is where God learns.
translated by Robert Bly
Leonard Durso 
Leonard, I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your all your posts and especially your poetry translations. I look always look forward to them. I studied Rilke one semester in college over 30 years ago. This poem is a vivid reminder of how much I enjoyed him then as I do today. Thank-you.
That’s kind of you to say. Once discovered, Rilke seems to always occupy a special place in our hearts.
Wow! Amazing.
Glad you liked it.
This one has always haunted me. I envision a spiral ladder, in which God works, learns….The ladder is between us humans. It is a comfort to think it exists. Love Rilke. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you like it. That image you have seems like it wants to be a poem of your own.
True! Something to work on.
I’m waiting to read it.