Rilke Speaks of Circles: A Poem on my 40th Birthday

Rilke speaks of circles,

imagining who we are,

how we live–and the Spirit–

always expanding, despite our impulse

to fear.

Some deal in scarcity,

the sadness of lives anchored in

shallow waters,

in sight of deeper promise

yet unable to stand it

beyond their ankles.

Rilke speaks of circles,

and I believe him.

The circle of our lives unites us all:

we are all born,

we all die.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

The truth of this circle

is the deep ocean of compassion.

When we can break the chain of fear

our ship sails toward the horizon,

the cusp of grace where God dances in Light–

and She loves to dance!

Light from Light, true God from true God.

Rilke speaks of circles,

circles of Light flowing out, flowing in.

I can rest in this.

 

–Stuart Higginbotham

August 2, 2019