Farewell Zeo

ZEO
1/20/90 - 5/13/06

epitaph


-13 -

Advance beyond all farewells as though they were,
like this departing winter, already accomplished.
For among winters looms one so endlessly winter
that hearts embracing winter, alone, endure unvanquished.

In Eurydice live ever dead -- rise more joyfully,
singing into the pure accord with boundless praising.
Here, within decline's rapidly fading country,
be as a ringing glass that shatters when it rings.

Be --at the same time knowing the realm of non-being,
that infinite ground of your own intimate oscillating,
in order, once, to fully contain the eternal fount.

To all the shopworn, musty, mute and glum
debris of nature's stockpile, the numberless sum,
joyfully add yourself and cancel the count.


From: The Sonnets to Orpheus by Rainer Maria Rilke