The hour of grey mists and steady rain
sends my thoughts soaring. I am part
pain and part longing, reflecting upon
the shades of night.
The wind whispers a thousand verses,
ushering cries of newborns and hopes
of estranged lovers.
The mystery overwhelms me as I find
the words and let them sing. I sought
to assuage the pain, embrace the soul-
searching droplets: so that everything
even that which was remotely related,
would heal with the passage of time.
Like an ancient fear turned to dust and
left to fade.
Photo credits: Instagram
Brendan invites us to play tennis with a ghost. I chose to play with Rainer Maria
Rilke and his poem ‘At The Brink Of Night.‘
Posted for “Sunday Challenge” @ Real Toads
Posted on the Poetry Pantry @ Poets United
56 Responses
Such powerful longing here, and the rapture of discovery, if only for the length, the depth, of a song … What more can we ask for? Wasn’t “At The Brink of Night” written by Rilke when he lived in Paris? He didn’t like it much, too much bustle; in his building there was someone who practiced cello all night. He strains to find and hold what his inwardness is shouting. Great response to the prompt, Sanaa, and I had to take a shot at Rilke — the dude is such a ghost!
Aww gosh!❤️ Thank you so much, Brendan ☺️ so glad you liked it!❤️
(and thank you for the lovely prompt)
Powerful images: the longing drowning in the cadence of night rain
much💝love
Thank you so much, Gillena ☺️ so good to see you ❤️
I like this very much. Too many beautiful lines to pull out, but the sense of yearning comes through very strongly, and it’s a very powerful ending.
Thank you so much, Sarah 😀 so glad you enjoyed it ❤️
Another of my favourite poets, Sanaa, and you have responded so beautifully! I love how you have evoked the atmosphere in the opening lines and created a soundtrack with:
‘The wind whispers a thousand verses,
ushering cries of newborns and hopes
of estranged lovers’.
Aww gosh! ❤️ Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad you liked it! ❤️
PS: He’s one of my favorites too! 🙂
The ghost echoes strongly through these words Sanaa.
Thank you so much, Paul 🙂 so good to see you ❤️
Dark nights and steady rain can have a depressing effect upon you, more so if you are nursing a hurt in your life. Introducing ancient fears then makes the whole night worse. Good to see you write of less pleasant times as well Sanaa.
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Robin ❤️
I love the beauty, passion and mystery you invoke. Not only a beautiful response to the Rilke but a fine poem in its own right.
Aww gosh! ❤️ Thank you so much, Rosemary 😀 so glad you enjoyed it! ❤️
I feel Rilke’s spirit in this. And you gave it voice with such beautiful imagery.
Thank you so much, Vivian 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
Playing tennis with a ghost— did you win? Lots of good imagery in this one. I’ve read a little Rilke in my college years, but only in German.
Thank you so much, Nissa 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
PS: It’s a response to a prompt at the garden.. you should check it out 🙂
Time does indeed heal or as you say…dull the pain…
Definitely 😊 thanks for stopping by, Rajani ❤
I especially like the way you concluded the poem. The final lines leave a lasting impression.
Thank you so much, Kerry 😊 so good to see you ❤
Beautifully written! So much healing in your words of hope. 😊
Thank you so much, Loredana 😊 so glad you enjoyed it ❤
Ah – ethereally reflective and beautifully composed!
Thank you so much, Mary 😊 so glad you liked it ❤
So true for us all, we are not one thing, but many. Beautiful writing.
Thank you so much, Annell 🙂 so good to see you ❤
My new favorite of yours, perfect in every way, though not very sunny. And that last image? Wow. It’s still got me in its grip!
Thank you so much, Susan 😀 so glad you enjoyed it ❤
Well done!
❤
Beautiful, Sanaa!
Thank you so much, Sherry 😀 so good to see you ❤
So beautiful.. Rich with romantic longing
Thank you so much, Susie 😀 so glad you liked it ❤
Beautiful and haunting! Your poem feels like a ghostly presence.
You are the only person I know who doesn’t sign your poems. Just noticed is all. Hugs!
Thank you so much, Bekkie 🙂 so good to see you ❤
so that everything
even that which was remotely related,
would heal with the passage of time.
Nature has a way of mending itself and life moves on unrelenting!
Hank
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Hank!❤
A beautifully drawn, mesmerizing piece, that – very much – struck a chord with me.
Thank you so much, Wendy 😀 so glad you liked it ❤
Great work Sanaa 🙂
Thank you so much, Jae 🙂 so good to see you ❤
I love Rilke. Your poem is very cool.
Thank you so much, MNL 😀 so glad you enjoyed it ❤
great imagery, Sanaa. and i liked how you end the poem.
Thank you so much, dsnake 😊 so glad you liked it ❤
Such a swirl of mood and mystery. Anything can happen.
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Colleen ❤
This is so lovely Sanaa. You create a mood, common to all of us, wishing to heal those hurts we all contain. I love your imagery and choice of words. This is a powerful poem.
Aww gosh!❤ Thank you so much, Myrna 😀 so glad you enjoyed it!❤
Wow! You have captured Rilke in stunning words of your own. Beautiful, Sanaa.
Thank you so much, Sara 😀 so glad you liked it ❤
I grew up on the third coast, and grey rainy days are my favs. (In a way, strange that I moved to the desert?) I suppose during these times, “thoughts,” seek shelter in our minds. Warm and dry…and sometimes empty. If we were not “part pain and part longing,” what would we be? I have found both exquisite as is your poem. I love going to that grey and rainy place with you.
Aww gosh!❤ Thank you so much, Annell 😀 so glad you liked it!❤