Autumnal Day by Rainer Maria Rilke
The poem reflects on the transition from summer to autumn, invoking a sense of urgency and change. The speaker addresses a higher power, signaling the end of summer's warmth and the arrival of autumn's chill. There is a call to complete the ripening of fruits, symbolizing the culmination of efforts and experiences before the season shifts. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the speaker contemplates solitude and the inevitability of change. Those who lack a home or companionship will remain in their isolation, emphasizing the emotional weight of the season. The poem captures the essence of autumn as a time of reflection, where individuals confront their solitude amidst the natural world's transformation. The speaker's journey through the autumn landscape serves as a metaphor for introspection and the passage of time. The rustling leaves and the changing environment mirror the internal shifts within the speaker, highlighting themes of loss, longing, and the bittersweet nature of change. The work ultimately encapsulates the tension between the beauty of the season and the melancholy it brings, inviting readers to ponder their own experiences of solitude and the cycles of life.
By Rainer Maria Rilke · First published 1915 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature Writing · 141 words
First lines
Lord! It is time. So great was Summer's glow: Thy shadows lay upon the dials' faces And o'er wide spaces let thy tempests blow.
Command to ripen the last fruits of thine, Give to them two more burning days and press The last sweetness into the heavy wine.
He who has now no house will ne'er build one, Who is alone will now remain alone; He will awake, will read, will letters write Through the long day and in the lonely night; And restless, solitary, he will rove Where the leaves rustle, wind-blown, in the grove.
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Autumnal Day is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rainer Maria Rilke
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature Writing, Philosophical, Romanticism
- Length: 141 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of nature and introspection.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Writing — The imagery and themes revolve around the changing seasons and natural elements.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential themes of solitude and the passage of time.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Seasonal · Autumn · Meditative · Philosophical · Existential · Solitude · Reflection · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor