Allspirit

Tag: leaves

  • Be with those who help your being

    By Rumi

    Be with those who help your being.
    Don’t sit with indifferent people, whose breath
    comes cold out of their mouths.
    Not these visible forms, your work is deeper.

    A chunk of dirt thrown in the air breaks to pieces.
    If you don’t try to fly,
    and so break yourself apart,
    you will be broken open by death,
    when it’s too late for all you could become.

    Leaves get yellow. The tree puts out fresh roots
    and makes them green.
    Why are you so content with a love that turns you yellow?

    Ode 2865
    Translated by Coleman Barks

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  • Fall Day

    By Rainer Maria Rilke

    Lord, it is time. This was a very big summer.
    Lay your shadows over the sundial,
    and let the winds loose on the fields.

    Command the last fruits to be full;
    give them two more sunny days,
    urge them on to fulfillment and throw
    the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

    Who has no house now, will never build one.
    Whoever is alone now, will long remain so,
    Will watch, read, write long letters
    and will wander in the streets, here and there
    restlessly, when the leaves blow.

    translated by Barbara Abbott and Larry Hauser

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