Ankunft To R. M. Rilke Poem by Albert Roig

— "The April dead, the narcissi,
and the light, now at its brightest, and the River that carries us away.
And it's the dark Heaven shining and it is all shadow of burning jewel
and with burning heart the bare Night, as a girl, white, jasmine.

Here within is where you should stay, inverted flower
still caught in the warm water, still weightless.

Until, the Face of Heaven, you break your waters
and reveal yourself at last. Your first tears. Like a sea and eyes.
With eyes just dawning, the sea, deep pupil from which we are reborn.

We have welcomed you. To the white room of pain.
And the lips of pain, that close again. And the white springs.
On our last day we rebel because we are so light.
Just petals of scent".

Translated by Anna Crowe