Now you feel how nothing clings to you;
your vast shell reaches into endless space,
and there the rich, thick fluids rise and flow.
Illuminated in your infinite peace.
.
Relax, in hope return to pleasant thoughts,
and let your mind and spirit rise to blue.
Before, you felt encumbered, tortured, caught;
Now you feel how nothing clings to you.
All gone are marks of status, place and age,
your body never was your spirit's face;
confusion fades away, a youthful stage,
your vast shell reaches into endless space.
Expand, expand your consciousness and feel
the luscious land where only dreamers go.
There the seasons dance a languid reel
and there the rich, thick fluids rise and flow.
The Buddha's glory waits for those who seek
the end of pain, affliction's true release.
The way and goal are yours, the prize unique,
Illuminated in your infinite peace.
Author notes
Glosa form: http://www.noggs.dsl.pipex.com/vf/glose.htm
Texte: http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/20407-Rainer-Maria-Rilke-Buddha-in-Glory
Thanks are due to ea for bringing this form to my attention.
In a list
A contest entry
- Spiritual Wisdom by aslanlight.
400 points, ended October 3, 2007, 9 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please comment
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
-
A truly illuminating poem, deeply serene and wise. The thick fluid reminds me of the holy oil like honey that is poured into me sometimes when I meditate.
Peace Georgia
-
-
Dear Georgia, thank you for the trophy. I'm very happy to bring some peace to you; many blessings as you seek healing.
-
-
I love the Glosa form and you did wonderfully with it in this piece! This is an easy read but well structured with such beautiful wording... I felt like dreaming while reading this piece. Some piece tend to make me want to dream time to time, I don't know why but it's a good sign...
Beautiful work with this one; I like it a lot!
-
-
Thank you, I learned about the glosa from ea, who learned of it from you. I love it - when the muse is sluggish, I can call on someone else's.
-
-
It's funny how these forms go from one person to another around here... ea did learn it from me, even though I haven't even written one in all this time... I should give it a try.
And I do agree, it's nice to use someone else's muse when our own is on a break...
-
-
-
truly a captivating piece...after reading your poem there was a sense of peace that I've felt...gave me a good chill...glad that I've found your poem...
-
Another perfect piece, Margaret. Each time I read one of your works, I feel as if I've come away much richer for it. You have given your slight twist on Rilke such perfection. Hugs, Patricia
-
This is so enchanting, a beautiful posting.I had to read several times and stanza three was my favourite.
-
-
I'm pleased with this one, and happy you like it too.
-
-
this is just absolutely amazing ...
through your elaboration of the few sentences, the verse of the original poet gained in depth and substance ...
a verse that soars on my wavelength in every way ...
just amazingly stunning, one of your very best poems I have inhaled so far ... (I am not kidding)
marion
-
-
Thank you dear Marion! Rilke's poem is perfect and wonderful, but so dense with meaning that I had trouble extracting it for the first year of reading it. Maybe that is me!
It was a pleasure to make this "gloss" and expound on what his poem means to me. I'm grateful for your response and confirmation. 
-
-
Outstanding
I remember reading Rilke's poetry when I was a teenager and loved his sensitivity. This poem is a wonderful tribute to his artistry with a smooth flow and great imagery. It has a light airy tone and the sense of a meditation.
-
-
Thank you RWD - I'm relatively new to poetry; I ran across Rilke only last year, though I had heard of him in other reading. His insight is terrific and I'm glad that I did not damage it with this writing. Thank you for your generous applause, I appreciate your praise.
-
-
Margaret, I think this is the first time I've seen this form. As with most of your poems, the rhythm feels melodic and the peace flow to this one is just wonderful. The third stanza is reminiscent of the weightless sort of feel I get when I'm near the ocean on a quiet day. And you poem makes me want to breathe deep and just drift away. ~ Karen
-
-
Thank you Karen It does me good to stop and remember that peace is always here, it is my own thoughts that hide it. I'm very happy that this reminded you of it.
-
-
Bravo, Margaret! You are a true inspiration. I tried one last night and only got halfway through it but I wrote a neat couplet a couple days ago and think I can handle a two stanzaed one on that maybe. This is lovely; as you know, I adore Rilke and the Buddha. O, the vast shell and that third stanza...
-
-
Thank you for showing me a new form, Marcy, I have not had so much fun writing for ages. I bookmarked Rilke's poem a couple of years ago, for a time when it made sense. Now it does.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 17 of 17
