AUTUMN DAY after Rainer Maria Rilke

AUTUMN DAY

after the German of Rainer Maria Rilke

Lord, it is time. The summer was so vast.

Lay now your shadows on the hours of sundials.

The winds let loose and on the fields be cast.

Command last fruits now to grow full and fine;

give them but two, south-heated days' last trace;

push them to final ripeness; hunt and chase

last sweetness down into the heavy vine.

Those now who have no home will build no more.

Those now alone will long stay so; will wake,

will read at length, will write long letters, take

to restless wandering, go to and fro,

in alleys when the leaves are driven so.