As Once The Winged Energy Of Delight
Rainer Maria Rilke

As once the winged energy of delight
carried you over childhood's dark abysses,
now beyond your own life build the great
arch of unimagined bridges.

Wonders happen if we can succeed
in passing through the harshest danger;
but only in a bright and purely granted
achievement can we realize the wonder.

To work with Things in the indescribable
relationship is not too hard for us;
the pattern grows more intricate and subtle,
and being swept along is not enough.

Take your practiced powers and stretch them out
until they span the chasm between two
contradictions...For the god
wants to know himself in you.

Translated by Stephen Mitchell

* * *

Oh, and I think I've made a decision --

Regarding which novel to let my students read -- Possession by AS Byatt. (Because I love this book so much and I think my students will enjoy it)