Dedication

Portrait of Rainer Maria Rilke
Rainer Maria Rilke 1875–1926

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 warrant will be for me a challenge I must meet.

If this presumptious 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 timidness as little children show their love for you.

With these outflowing, river-like, with deltas that spread like arms to reach the open sea, with the recurrent tides that never cease will I acknowledge you, will I proclaim you as no one ever has before.

And if this should be arrogance, so let me arrogant be to justify my prayer that stands so serious and so alone before your forehead, circled by the clouds.

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