His gaze has been so worn by the procession
Of bars that it no longer makes a bond.
Around, a thousand bars seem to be flashing,
And in their flashing show no world beyond.
The lissom steps which round out and re-enter
That tightest circuit of their turning drill
Are like a dance of strength about a center
Wherein there stands benumbed a mighty will.
Only from time to time the pupil's shutter
Will draw apart: an image enters then,
To travel through the tautened body's utter
Stillness—and in the heart to end.
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 – 1926) Germany (born Prague)
Translated by Walter Arndt
Source: The Best of Rilke: 72 Form-true Verse Translations with Facing Originals by Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by Walter Arndt, p.69
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