I had a little email convo with Bill Webb about Rilke and his letters to a young poet and he asked me if that wouldn’t be a cool theme for MTB – I asked back if he would be up for a guest post – and here he is, challenging us to write with humble sincerity about the things around us or.. but… I stop talking now… smiles… here he is…
If you are like me, you have often wondered about writing with an authentic voice. Given this immediate gratification world we live in with “likes” and “comments”, how do we avoid getting sidetracked in what we write? I like to think of
it as honesty in writing. How we say it may not be perfect grammar or rhyme, but to me when we call out our honest
perceptions and feeling we impart a bit of soul into our work.
A friend I met at the Dverse Pub introduced me to the works of Rainer Maria Rilke, 1875 – 1926. Rilke, was a very complex man who straddled the changing world view between the tradition of the Enlightenment and the Modernists. One had it’s roots reach back centuries, and the second horrified by the reality of modern warfare in WWI, was determined to reject tradition and start anew.
In learning about him, I came across a small book “Letters to a Young Poet” which detail Rilke’s correspondence with an aspiring poet. In letter one, Rilke advises“write about what your everyday life offers you; describe your sorrows and desires, the thoughts that pass through your mind and your belief in some kind of beauty Describe all these with heartfelt, silent, humble sincerity and, when you express yourself, use the Things around you, the images from your dreams, and the objects that you remember.”
In essence, to put a bit of yourself into your work. Then he speaks of not letting others judge, but to know:
“A work of art is good if it has arisen out of necessity”
To me that rings true. Not every poem will be good or great, but it’s something to aim for.
Here is a Rilke poem translated to English by Albert Ernest Flemming
Do you remember still the falling stars
that like swift horses through the heavens raced
and suddenly leaped across the hurdles
of our wishes–do you recall? And we
did make so many! For there were countless numbers
of stars: each time we looked above we were
astounded by the swiftness of their daring play,
while in our hearts we felt safe and secure
watching these brilliant bodies disintegrate,
knowing somehow we had survived their fall.
Rilke was greatly influenced by the Rodin, integrating the sculptor’s concise vision into his poetry. For today’s challenge….
Either –Find something that is really You and like Rilke said:
“write about what your everyday life offers you; describe your sorrows and desires, the thoughts that pass through your mind and your belief in some kind of beauty Describe all these with heartfelt, silent, humble sincerity and, when you express yourself, use the Things around you, the images from your dreams, and the objects that you remember.”
Or…
Rilke was influenced by Rodin when Rilke served as secretary to him. The artist greatly influenced the young poet. Check out Rodin sculptures on the Internet – find one that inspires you and write to it in the above way
If you’re new here, this is how it works…
- post a poem on your blog that meets the prompt requirements
- tag the url in by clicking on the Mr. Linky button below
- Read and comment on others that put their link in as well
- enjoy your time in the pub and make yourself comfortable.. smiles
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
At first I thought this was a very challenging prompt.. and browsed through Rodin’s sculptures… and suddenly there was one trying to speak to me.. actually a little followup from my tuesday poem.. so this was a great prompt.. really loved it.
billgncs said:
Rilke was actually Rodin’s secretary at one time – and Rodin showed him how an artist sees, which he incorporated into his poetry. He even wrote a series of poems on it, delving on the “things”
claudia said:
how cool is that… i want to meet Rodin for a chat – and learn from him… how awesome would that be…
billgncs said:
Rodin eventually fired him, because Rilke started answering letters without consulting Rodin 🙂
Still – what a time in Art, to be in Paris – imagine what they might have spoken of over coffee.
Grace said:
Such an interesting connection ~ Rodin’s sculpture pieces are breathtaking ~ I wanted to write more than 1 piece, ha ~
billgncs said:
They are – even still, it is as thought they dance.
Joseph Hesch said:
Hi, Bill, et al! I’m kind of back in the poet world. Been through much too much rough stuff since last I linked. Hope to see a bunch of ya’ll around the pub tonight.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Nice to see you back Joe — hope being through really means being through….
Joseph Hesch said:
Almost, Bjorn. Been a brutal run of health, personal, life and death. Still some things to clear, but I do the best I can. Thanks.
claudia said:
you should ask the sun out for a dance.. just saying… smiles
billgncs said:
Glad you’re back Joe
Abhra said:
Claudia, Very interesting prompt – Rilke’s words are on my mind ever since I read the idea – I am yet to compose something. Looking forward to what we have in store tonight.
claudia said:
rilke is cool.. have to read through his love poems again…
billgncs said:
To me, as I read more of him, Rilke tried to use Eros to fill a void in his life. He was a very complicated man – part of the modernist movement was a rejection of all things traditional, and I think that love to him was part of his search for meaning.
claudia said:
ha – let me put it like this…. it doesn’t surprise me that things like this happen… i haven’t read so much about him but i think as well that he must have been a complicated man – struggling with many things and constantly searching… i think he was struggling with health as well
claudia said:
thanks bill for tending bar tonite…
i love tilke – his honesty and humbleness shines through his words and i think it makes a big difference in our poems if we write in such a way
i love rodin’s sculptures as well…they seem to have that same honesty and down-to-earth-ness and they also seem to be so much alive that i would love to stop and ask them out for a cup of tea to chat with them a bit..
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I found it amazing that looking at Rodin’s sculptures my poem wrote itself.. we have to face ourselves totally honest.
claudia said:
i love when that happens and a poem just writes itself…
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
With pictures it almost always work for me..
Myrna said:
Both Rilke and Rodin are among my favorite artists. I think you’ve chosed a most inspirational prompt. Thanks for it.
claudia said:
it is a cool prompt and i love how rodin inspired rilke – can totally understand this..
Sumana Roy said:
an interesting challenge…scribbled some lines…see you all tomorrow morning friends….
claudia said:
sleep well sumana – and happy celebration tomorrow
Gay Reiser Cannon said:
Hi Bill & Claudia. I re-read that little book of Rilke’s letters to a young poet last night, and thought…memories, love, beauty. It was all there. I have wanted to write this incident for a while. I started off in blank verse but eventually just let it roll into a free verse conversation. These two people were ageless – but old enough to have seen many years together and truly loved long past the stage of being “in love”. There was such trust and respect between them. I wanted to share that meeting once upon a time in London.
Gay Reiser Cannon said:
Also sorry about being late. Trying to format this on either blog was rough. I went with two color and they look weird against the background — sorry.
claudia said:
i loved overhearing their conversation… the different languages… the trust and connection…very cool gay
Gay Reiser Cannon said:
Thanks Claudia. Much appreciated.
brian miller said:
oh i bet it was…based on what i saw…ha..
thank goodness for the translation…smiles.
billgncs said:
looking forward to reading it.
charliezero1.wordpress.com said:
I do have an old school poem that I wrote in 2004. It has images and dreams of what I was feeling at the time in my high school years. Would it be cool if I post a poem of what I just describe to you?
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
To me that sounds perfect Charlie…:-)
billgncs said:
I think it sounds good too.
Bryan Ens said:
Great write-up Bill! I shall have to think hard about what to write…you have set a high bar for us here!
Bryan Ens said:
Oh…and just to be a tad irreverent…I suspect that the thinker is pondering, “where are my clothes?”
brian miller said:
ha. i have always considered him on the toilet actually….
that is where i think…so….
billgncs said:
that could be, or how do I get rid of those pigeons 🙂
Bryan Ens said:
I’m not going to put this in Mr.Linky, as it doesn’t quite fit the prompt, but I couldn’t resist writing this piece http://quest4peas.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/the-thinker/
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Bedtime here in Sweden right now… and Claudia…(I read you poem) it’s bedtime for you too 🙂
brian miller said:
it is an interesting prompt…i went more with rilke…and just focusing on what the day gave me….
billgncs said:
that’s good too. It’s interesting when we try to decide if we write ( or live ) to be honest or to be popular and fit in.
brian miller said:
it is def an interesting conversation…
my first year i cared a bit more about what people think
on reading…there is a freedom that comes in writing beyond that…and
in living beyond that as well…
billgncs said:
sometimes we grow into integrity – it’s a learned thing that we tend to avoid to be comfortable.
charliezero1.wordpress.com said:
I just posted a new poem….based on the prompt of the day. I hope I did my best to capture what was said on this prompt. 🙂
billgncs said:
Rilke would say not to let others judge your work as good or bad, but that when you write out of necessity – then good work arises.
Grace said:
Rilke and Rodin – that is some potent combination ~ Thanks Bill and Claudia for this post ~ If I can help it, I don’t write about my everyday life because my writing is meant for another kind of journey for me ~ But I agree on using everyday stuff to make it more vivid though and this is what most people can relate to ~
Wishing you all happy day or night ~
billgncs said:
I think that everything is filtered through our lens of experience, and sometimes we just need to trust it.
Mary said:
Well, I finally came up with a poem about what everyday life offers TODAY! It is the beginning of the Football Season tonight…and that’s where it is for me. Smiles.
billgncs said:
do you have a favorite ? I am a long suffering Browns fan…. sigh
Mary said:
Ha, it’s the Packers! However, they did not get their season off to a good start last night against the Seahawks; but it can only get better. Smiles.
katiemiafrederick said:
Well..Bill and Claudia what i write today.. and perhaps what i write everyday fits this prompt perfectly i think..particularly given the Rodin Statue above…
But i swim in poetry territory of centuries past..perhaps never charted before truly in the social norm..therefore.. i never expect comments or likes for what i do..
But i write and do photography in art of the human body that is mine to celebrate my life after living death in life…and a prayer for blessings i now too celebrate..if you will too…
‘They’ will never be able to say..
Kilroy wasn’t here for me…
But with that said..i plan to read and comment..on what i feel is a brilliant prompt here..but no.. i will not link..as the world at large is not close to ready for me yet..
But the youth of the world are..
It’s just a matter of time..until what i do..
becomes…
the social norm..of future years now…
Amazing when i tell the youth about it when i dance..all of adult age..of course….
They don’t even blink at an eye..and are even interested in what i do….
But the older folks shy away from me..even if i dance as a free human being..close to them..for the most part….
Freedom..it ain’t free..but it’s more than worth it..to me…..
billgncs said:
I’m glad this resonates with you. That’s a good thing.
katiemiafrederick said:
Cool.. i didn’t realize this Bill is you..and yes again congratulations on what i feel is truly a brilliant prompt on truly the whole purpose of writing to me..:)no matter if it’s called poetry or not…
billgncs said:
Exactly – you’re right on!
Bodhirose said:
Thanks, Bill, for an interesting prompt which inspired me to write about my restless night last night. It is an authentic experience that is for sure! I’m amazed that I didn’t give into a nap today…
billgncs said:
Isn’t if funny how we worry so much about what we cannot control – I hope you sleep well tonight.
Bodhirose said:
Yes…most worry is about what we can’t control…what a cycle to be caught up in! And thank you…I have a feeling it will go better tonight.
brian miller said:
smiles…i hope it does for you…
about to head to bed myself…
claudia said:
smiles… i hope you sleep and worry-less bodhi
good night bri
claudia said:
good morning…. coffee in hand and catching up…
billgncs said:
good morning – one hour or so and I am off to bed…
Imelda said:
Thanks for the prompt. The Walking Man grabbed my attention. 🙂
billgncs said:
That’s a good one Imelda 🙂
arathi said:
thank you for this wonderful prompt..the sculptures of Rodin is beautiful..enjoyed this learning..smiles..
billgncs said:
Yes, I have always liked sculpture too
MarinaSofia said:
I’m still struggling to get into a routine at the start of the schoolyear, so don’t have the peace of mind to post something for this prompt… which is such a shame, as Rilke is one of my favourite poets (together with Holderlin and Paul Celan – do you detect a bit of a theme there?). It also links in with Claudia’s words about close observation – how poetry (and art) make us focus on the details, through which we can then grasp the essential.
billgncs said:
I will check out those other poets – I agree that often we don’t really see or discern the details of things, and that taking a second look can change us.
scotthastiepoet said:
Greetings Claudia & Bill,
Given that Rilke, along with Kahil Gibran are my two most abiding sources of inspiration, I was impossible for me to ignore your prompt! And I offer a very recent piece as my contribution – also all the more timely, as I missed last months OLN, as I was away at a wedding that weekend. I very much look forward to reading and catching up with what everyone has come up with for this… With Best Wishes to all…
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I just read it Scott. Probably one of my favorites of yours … it resonated strongly with me today.
geraldine snape said:
…love so much of the art of the early 20thC so thankyou for this prompt..I’ve done a bit of editing since the writer’s workshop yesterday here in Warrington…it seems to fit !!
billgncs said:
great – looking forward to it
claudia said:
good evening… made my round… commented back on those that are around, reading others… was a rough week with loads of work in the office and my daughter is moving out tomorrow… so you can imagine all the dismantled furniture standing around everywhere…smiles
Sara v said:
Claudia, furniture and emotions scattered, right ? ;-). I empathize ❤
billgncs said:
ah yes, we just had with our youngest off to school
Sara v said:
Bill, an excellent prompt and quotes. Enjoyed both Rilke and Rodin 🙂
billgncs said:
Thanks – glad you enjoyed it.
brian miller said:
long day here too…started with a fight before the first bell..
and then football tonight…catching up with those visiting…
billgncs said:
are you a coach ?
purplepeninportland said:
I love this prompt, Bill. You gave me insight into two creators, and made me think.
Mine is up at: http://purplepeninportland.wordpress.com/2014/09/06/outside-myself/
Okelle said:
While I didn’t study Rilke as in-depth as I did the Romantics and the Modernists, I find Letters to a Young Poet a wonderful source of inspiration — especially when it comes to defining what it measn to be a successful writer. Here’s one of my favorite passages from the book: