Letters to a young poet

"Letters to a young poet" is a collection of letters written by Rainer Maria Rilke, to a young would-be poet on poetry and on surviving as a sensitive observer in a harsh world. The original letters were in German and there have been three translations of this collection. I chose the one by M.D.Herter Norton as it had the most recommendations. It is a very small book, just 90 pages. But I am sure the contents will be quite deep and I want to savour every word of it.

I read through the first of ten letters yesterday. I will just quote some important parts of what Rilke had to say on writing itself ....

“Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.

...Describe your sorrows and desires, the thoughts that pass through your mind and your belief in some kind of beauty - describe all these with heartfelt, silent, humble sincerity ...

... - And if out of this turning-within, out of this immersion in your own world, poems come, then you will not think of asking anyone whether they are good or not. Nor will you try to interest magazines in these works: for you will see them as your dear natural possession, a piece of your life, a voice from it. A work of art is good if it has arisen out of necessity. That is the only way one can judge it.”

This is an eye opener for me. Because even though I love writing, I am always so adamant about not revealing my vulnerabilities. Any form of art, including writing, would be so incomplete if the artist does not bare his/her soul. This is going to be my guiding principle for me when in doubt.

I guess my many forthcoming posts would be heavily loaded with Rilke quotes.