Dedication
I have great faith in all things not yet spoken.
I want my deepest pious feelings freed.
What no one yet has dared to risk and warrantwill be for me a challenge I must meet.
If this presumptuous seems,
God, may I be forgiven.
For what I want to say to you is this:my efforts shall be like a driving force,quite without anger, without timidnessas little children show their love for you.
With these outflowing, river-like, with deltasthat spread like arms to reach the open sea,with the recurrent tides that never ceasewill I acknowledge you, will I proclaim youas no one ever has before.
And if this should be arrogance, so let mearrogant be to justify my prayerthat stands so serious and so alonebefore your forehead, circled by the clouds.
Translated by Albert Ernest Flemming
Rainer Maria Rilke
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