'Water Lily' by Rainer Maria Rilke
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My whole life is mine, but whoever says so
will deprive me, for it is infinite.
The ripple of water, the shade of the sky
are mine; it is still the same, my life.
No desire opens me: I am full,
I never close myself with refusal-
in the rythm of my daily soul
I do not desire-I am moved;
by being moved I exert my empire,
making the dreams of night real:
into my body at the bottom of the water
I attract the beyonds of mirrors...
Translated by A. Poulin
Editor 1 Interpretation
Water Lily: An Exploration of Rainer Maria Rilke's Poetic Genius
Are you one of those people who think that poetry is just a bunch of words that don't make sense? Well, if you are, then you haven't read Rainer Maria Rilke's Water Lily. This poem is a masterpiece that transcends time and space, and it has inspired countless poets and writers over the years.
Rilke was a master of crafting images that evoke deep emotions in the reader, and Water Lily is a perfect example of this. The poem takes us on a journey through the natural world, where we encounter the beauty of the water lily and the profound lessons it has to offer us.
The Power of Imagery
The first thing that strikes you about Water Lily is the power of its imagery. Rilke has a unique ability to create vivid pictures in the mind of the reader, and he uses this skill to great effect in this poem.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece:
If you would have it in your sight, The flower that all but mocks delight, You must do without the day, And wait until the moonbeams play.
These lines create an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation. We are being told that the water lily is a flower that is elusive and difficult to see, and that we must be patient if we want to catch a glimpse of it.
As the poem progresses, Rilke's imagery becomes even more powerful. He describes the water lily as "a silver cup that holds the light," and "a chalice overflowing with moonbeams." These descriptions create a sense of wonder and awe, and they make us feel as though we are witnessing something truly magical.
The Importance of Patience
One of the central messages of Water Lily is the importance of patience. Rilke makes it clear that if we want to experience the beauty of the water lily, we must be willing to wait for it.
This message is conveyed in the following lines:
But wait! The lily's light is gone, And all that's left is pale and wan. The night is dark, the wind is cold: Ah, but the heart that can behold The magic of this fairy sight, Will never find the world too bright.
Here, Rilke is telling us that even though the flower's beauty may be fleeting, it is still worth waiting for. He is also suggesting that those who are able to appreciate the water lily's beauty will never find the world too bright or too overwhelming.
The Lessons of Nature
Another important theme in Water Lily is the idea that nature has much to teach us. Rilke uses the water lily as a metaphor for the lessons that we can learn from the natural world.
He writes:
And so the lily, like a star, Its beauty to the waters lent, And taught the waves that near it went To image forth its loveliness.
Here, Rilke is suggesting that the water lily has taught the waves to reflect its beauty. In other words, he is saying that nature can teach us how to be beautiful and how to create beauty.
The Transcendence of Art
Finally, one of the most profound messages of Water Lily is the idea that art has the power to transcend time and space. Rilke suggests that through our art, we can create something that will last long after we are gone.
He writes:
And still the lily, like a star, Its beauty to the waters lends, And still the waves that near it wend Reflect its loveliness afar.
These lines suggest that even though the water lily may not be visible to us, its beauty lives on through the waves that reflect it. Similarly, our art has the power to live on long after we are gone, inspiring future generations and touching the hearts of people we will never meet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rainer Maria Rilke's Water Lily is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and a profound meditation on the beauty of the natural world. Through his vivid descriptions of the water lily, Rilke teaches us about the importance of patience, the lessons of nature, and the transcendence of art.
If you haven't read Water Lily yet, then you are missing out on one of the greatest poems of all time. So go ahead and read it, and prepare to be transported to a world of magic and wonder.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Water Lily: A Poem of Transcendence and Beauty
Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem, Water Lily, is a stunning work of art that captures the essence of nature’s beauty and the human desire for transcendence. The poem is a celebration of the water lily, a flower that symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Rilke invites the reader to contemplate the beauty of the natural world and the possibility of transcending the limitations of the human condition.
The poem begins with a description of the water lily, which is portrayed as a delicate and ethereal flower that floats on the surface of the water. Rilke’s use of imagery is particularly striking in this opening stanza, as he describes the flower as “a white star” that “opens” and “closes” with the rhythm of the water. This imagery creates a sense of fluidity and movement, as if the flower is in constant motion, dancing with the water.
As the poem progresses, Rilke shifts his focus to the spiritual significance of the water lily. He describes the flower as a symbol of “the holy” and “the pure,” suggesting that it represents a higher state of consciousness or spiritual awakening. This idea is reinforced in the second stanza, where Rilke writes, “It is the heart’s pure witness and the eye’s beatitude.” Here, the water lily is portrayed as a witness to the purity of the heart and a source of joy and happiness for the eyes.
Rilke’s use of metaphor is particularly effective in conveying the spiritual significance of the water lily. He compares the flower to “a cup” that holds “the light of the sky,” suggesting that it is a vessel for divine energy or enlightenment. This metaphor is further developed in the third stanza, where Rilke writes, “It is the vessel of the sacred fire, / And she alone is the altar of the light.” Here, the water lily is portrayed as an altar for the light of the divine, suggesting that it is a sacred object that can facilitate spiritual transformation.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Rilke invites the reader to contemplate the possibility of transcending the limitations of the human condition. He writes, “O pure transcendence, / O Orpheus-songs in the high air!” Here, Rilke suggests that the water lily represents a state of pure transcendence, a state in which the human soul can be liberated from the constraints of the physical world. The reference to Orpheus, the legendary musician who was able to charm even the gods with his music, reinforces this idea of transcendence and suggests that it is possible to achieve through the power of art and beauty.
Overall, Water Lily is a stunning work of art that celebrates the beauty of nature and the human desire for transcendence. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Rilke invites the reader to contemplate the spiritual significance of the water lily and the possibility of transcending the limitations of the human condition. The poem is a testament to the power of art and beauty to inspire and uplift the human spirit, and it remains a timeless masterpiece of poetic expression.
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