Rilke

Spring has come again. And the earth
is like a child who knows poems by heart;
many, really many. It was worth
the long harsh lessons for her prize. The art

of her teacher was rigor. We liked the white
in the old man's beard.
Now when we ask what green or a blue might
be called, she knows, she knows! Earth cheered

with freedom, lucky earth, now play
with the children. We are spoiling to catch you,
happy earth. The happiest escape.

O you, her teacher, taught her many things!
What is imprinted in their roots and grew
long convoluted stems, she sings and sings!

- Rilke, from "Sonnets to Orpheus"