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Letters to a Young Poet
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
Letters written over a period of several years on the vocation of writing by a poet whose greatest work was still to come.
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review
Robotswithpersonality
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Panpan

Pragmatism wrapped in less useful poeticism; esoteric phrasing and spirituality makes it more work to derive the same life advice that other books might offer more clearly. I think the particular translators for this edition may be seeing more there for a modern audience than I could perceive. Radical choice to excise some of the text of the letters and tuck it in the back with commentary. If you need to edit and explain, how much use is it?

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Robotswithpersonality
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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The kind of answer that would have been unsatisfactory in my teens and twenties, and makes all the sense in the world in my thirties.

7 likes1 stack add
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Ellohcin
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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GinaKButler
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Most known to me from the tagline of the What Should I Read Next podcast…my July #bookspin Up next!
#bookspinbingo

16 likes1 stack add
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GinaKButler
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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My #bookspin and #doublespin for July! Thank you so much for hosting, @TheAromaofBooks 📚

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Good luck!! 2y
20 likes1 comment
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Kerrbearlib
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Current audiobook. #audiobook #cloudlibrary

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DebbieGrillo
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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DebbieGrillo
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language... They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day.

Sapphire This shook me (in a good way) when I first read it. 2y
sarahbellum An absolute favorite of mine and one I reach for often in hard times ❤️ 2y
Suet624 Jeepers. I have to get this book. I can't believe I haven't purchased it yet. 2y
batsy This book 💜 2y
56 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
HeatherBookNerd
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

Over the span of five years, Rilke corresponded with a young poet, offering encouragement and advice. The collection of letters gives us a glimpse into Rilke‘s views of the necessity of solitude, the nature of art, and the benefits of personal growth through difficult trials. The book ends with a chronicle of what was transpiring in Rilke‘s life at the time, giving further insight. He was so kind and sympathetic towards the young man. Just lovely.

sarahbellum One of my absolute favorites! 💖 2y
LindaLappin one line that has stayed with me for years, decades rather -- “perhaps all our dragons are really princesses waiting to see us beautiful & brave.“ ... at least that's how I remember it... 2y
HeatherBookNerd @LindaLappin Yes! That‘s it! Brilliant. 2y
39 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Lindy
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”

I don‘t know if this quote comes from the tagged book, but I wanted to share the lovely card that arrived today.

Cathythoughts It is a beautiful card ❤️ 2y
KathyR "There are quite a number of people in the reading-room; but one is not aware of them. They are inside the books. They move, sometimes, within the pages like sleepers turning over between two dreams. Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading."

Rainer Maria Rilke
The Journal of My Other Self (ed. 1930)
2y
Lindy @KathyR Thanks for tracking down the full quote and it‘s source. 😘 2y
33 likes3 comments
review
Veebee
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

A collection of Rilke's ten letters to an aspiring poet, full of profound observations on how to nurture and nourish a creative soul.

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Bookwomble
Letters to a Young Poet (Revised) | Stephen Mitchell, Rainer Rilke
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Pickpick

This is a strong contender for the best book I've read this year. Beginning as advice on the poetic impulse and the creative process from Rilke to a literary admirer, they become deeply heartfelt explorations of the human condition. Every page has something quotable, and despite its brevity (slow-reader me read it in an hour) it packs in so much. Undoubtedly a book to be re-read and reflected upon. All the stars ⭐

[With added cat silhouette 🐱]

Trashcanman One of my absolute favorites 2y
Bookwomble @Trashcanman It's so good, isn't it? I'm a bit late to the Rilke party (🎵Ain't no party like a Rilke party🎵😁), but better late than never 😊 2y
24 likes2 comments
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Bookwomble
Letters to a Young Poet (Revised) | Stephen Mitchell, Rainer Rilke
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I don't always have to have *just* the right bookmark for what I'm reading, but I love the cover design of this edition of Rilke's "Letters to a Young Poet", and knew I had an appropriate bookmark to go with it.
Cover designer, Daniel Pelavin, has, I think, been inspired by the Vienna Secession art movement of Rilke's native Austria. I got the bookmark, with a design by artist Koloman Moser, on a visit to Vienna a few years ago. ?????

TrishB I love when that happens 😁 2y
21 likes1 comment
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Bookwomble
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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"There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself...Go into yourself and see how deep the place is from which your life flows."

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CoveredInRust
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Pickpick

Lovely writing and interesting ideas on the human condition and the NEED to write.

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anushareflects
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Mary Oliver‘s poem “Invitation” inspired me to go read more Rilke!!
Here‘s to new reads!

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Angeles
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

Obviously, there is no point to "reviewing" letters to a young poet: it is a masterpiece. However, this new edition by liveright publishing includes the letters Rilke is answering! It is wonderful to get the other side of the conversation, and I have never seen the English translation of those letters before. So if you can afford another book, definitely buy this edition.

Buechersuechtling 🥰 Now I want to read that book. Thank you for this wonderful post. 3y
SpaceCowboyBooks Love this book 3y
Nute Agreed! A masterpiece! 3y
18 likes3 comments
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Angeles
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Here is today's book pile from visiting my lical indy. Somehow I can't do fiction this weekend

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UwannaPublishme
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

In the early 1900s, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote 10 awe-inspiring letters in response to a young student at the crossroads of a writing career. When you read these letters today, Rilke‘s insightful advice on life, love and following your passion still reaches deep within to touch your creative soul. My affinity for #epistolary books lives on. And wouldn‘t Rilke make a great #LitsyLove pen pal? 😉✍🏻
#BookSpin
#16
#BookSpinBingo
@TheAromaofBooks

LeahBergen Yes. He‘s pretty dishy. 😉 4y
mirnas I suggest reading the letters he exchanged with his friend, a painter Paula Modersohn-Becker. 4y
TheAromaofBooks My husband asked me the other day if people are getting uglier or what because there seem to be a lot more good-looking people in old photographs! 😂 4y
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UwannaPublishme @mirnass Thanks for letting me know. I‘d love to read more of his beautiful letters. 👍🏻 4y
UwannaPublishme @TheAromaofBooks Your husband is a hoot! I hope he added: Present company excluded, of course!” 😂 4y
TheAromaofBooks Oh, I already know that he worships at the shrine of my overwhelming beauty! 😂 4y
Nute You said it perfectly, “reaches deep within to touch your creative soul.” I like those words!😊 3y
UwannaPublishme @Nute 🤗🤗🤗 3y
56 likes1 stack add9 comments
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CBee
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Trashcanman 👁👁 4y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
catiewithac
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

I hardly know how to express what this little book made me feel...so much! Rilke was an expert letter-writer and his advice to a young poet transcends its original context. It‘s advice for being yourself, for living to your fullest potential. This book is simply a MUST READ MANY TIMES!!!! If you haven‘t picked up this little volume of genius please do so now! 😍

UwannaPublishme Finally read this! Wow! 🙌🏻 4y
Nute Yes, as you described, “this little volume of genius.” I like those words!😊 3y
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mimai
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke

"We have no reason to be mistrustful of our world, for it is not against us. If it holds terrors, they are our terrors, if it has its abysses these abysses belong to us."

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mimai
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Letters to a Young Poet has plenty of relevant points and poignant sentiments. A recommended reading to writers and creators.

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Tanisha_A
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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"Going into oneself and not meeting anyone for hours — that is what one must arrive at."
Except a book or two, you know! ?

#bedtimereading

JennyM The beauty of alone time! Enjoy yours, T 😘 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
readordierachel Love this! 4y
See All 7 Comments
LeahBergen Lovely! 💕 4y
Tanisha_A @JennyM Hi loveeee, i miss you. How have you been? Kisses and hugs! 4y
JennyM @Tanisha_A I‘m good my lovely. I miss you too! Hope you and yours are all well xxx 4y
49 likes7 comments
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Tanisha_A
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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"There is nothing less apt to touch a work of art than critical words: all we end up with there is more or less felicitous misunderstandings."

#readingrilke

Trashcanman I love this collection of letters 4y
Centique There are so many wonderful quotes in here. Really need to reread this 😍 4y
charl08 Beautiful photo 😍 4y
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batsy What @Trashcanman and @Centique said! I love this book a lot ❤️ 4y
batsy (and yes, love the photo!) 4y
Tanisha_A @Trashcanman @Centique @batsy I am reading from the Penguin Little Black Classic, and it makes me want to buy the complete copy. 😍 4y
Tanisha_A @charl08 @batsy Morning light! ☺️ 4y
Nute The BEST photo! 3y
64 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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amber_ldsmom
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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AvidReader25
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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“For he who creates must be a world of his own and find everything within himself and in the natural world that he has elected to follow.”

“Take pleasure in your growth in which no one can accompany you. And be kindhearted towards those you leave behind.”

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GatheringBooks
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

#DearDecember Day 1: Classic #EpistolaryNovel. Iphigene‘s review: “I was drunk with those words. Inspired by them. On my third reading, I realize it was not a mere phrase for a writer. It is, if anything, an advice for life. For what is a great life, but a life that pursues its passion?” Her full review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-De

Eggs Well done ❤️👏🏻📚📝👏🏻❤️ 4y
32 likes1 comment
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Kayla.Adriena
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Does anyone have a favorite etsy shop or website they like to order return address labels from? I'm interested in ones that actually send the labels already printed, not digital printing. Thank friends! 💓 #LitsyLove

Quirkybookworm Following 4y
Kaylamburson I don't have an etsy shop, but I like making my own on Shutterfly! Using your pictures or sometimes I'll pull stock photos from the internet to use! @Quirkybookworm 4y
38 likes2 comments
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Eggs
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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TheSpineView Lovely! 🤩🤩🤩 5y
Eggs @TheSpineView 🥰💗🥰 5y
52 likes2 comments
review
thebluestocking
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Mehso-so

I found this short compilation of ten letters written by Rilke to be a mixed bag. There are some pithy and insightful comments, and some that are not. I wish I had done more research and read a version with the letters from the young poet included. Still, I am glad I read this, and I‘ll probably read more Rilke.

49 likes2 comments
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Centique
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

It took me a long time to read this slim book. Rilke‘s letters are heavy with quotable advice and beautiful turns of phrase. I had to keep putting it down so I could think on what I had just read. This will be a book I keep turning to and flicking through - the principles of patience and solitude and creativity are much needed in my world right now. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lady_Tigana_20 I love this so much. The Ron Perlman/Linda Hamilton Beauty and the Beast tv show released a compilation of poetry and music used in the show. I ended up checking out every author referenced. The librarian thought I was brilliant because I was reading Rilke and Byron while a teenager. 5y
Centique @Lady_Tigana_20 wow, how cool! I remember being mesmerised by that tv show as well 😍 5y
Leftcoastzen Beautiful edition! 5y
See All 9 Comments
Centique @Leftcoastzen it‘s a Penguin Classic (and unfortunately I dripped coffee on the cover - sshhh don‘t tell @LeahBergen 😬) 5y
Nute Love your review! Love your book edition!💕 I remember taking my time with this book as well so that I could ‘soak‘ in the wisdom and the beauty. 5y
Centique @Nute beautifully said! 😍 5y
elkeOriginal It‘s been awhile since I read this - your gorgeous edition is making me think I should revisit it! 5y
Trashcanman I love this book, absolutely love it absolutely beautiful. It makes my chest feel light. 5y
Centique @Trashcanman that‘s a beautiful description. 😍 it‘s been a turning point for me, I really needed to hear the advice he gives. 5y
83 likes5 stack adds9 comments
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GidgetsTreasures75
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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7-20-19: Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke Mini Book Earrings. I can make any book cover into a piece of jewelry-earrings, pendants, charm bracelets, magnets, pins, keychains and tiles. #gidgetstreasures #minibooks #minibookearrings #letterstoayoungpoet #rainermariarilke Contact me here or on my Instagram gidgetstreasures.

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proseedcake
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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LiterRohde
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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“Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. [L]ive in the question.”

#MayMovieMagic | 20: #TomorrowNeverKnows

📷: Made with Typorama

Cinfhen Brilliant!!! Such a thoughtful response to this prompt 🙌🏻 5y
RohitSawant Love this! 💜 5y
Cathythoughts I love this too ♥️👍🏻 5y
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GatheringBooks
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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#QuotsyMar19 Day 17: Sing out the pain of #Solitude as Rilke advised. Read this aloud with my then-16 yo girl and she refused to continue as she found Rilke to be a horny, pedantic letter-writer. 😂🤣😭 Hopefully, Rilke finds her again at a time when she is finally ready for him. But not now, not yet.

gradcat My heavens! Poor, dear Rilke—horny? 😱😂 5y
50 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

Read this on a flight to California. Amazing. So much in these 10 letters speak to core essentials of life. So much is ancient, so much is prescient of progress in the last 100 years since this correspondence took place. It's life altering reading.

merelybookish A book to return to! ♥️ 5y
14 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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"Then, as if no one had ever tried before, try to say what you see and feel and love and lose."

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dawn-pInk
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

I‘m a sucker for letters, so naturally this was a pick for me. Rilke has some good advice on poetry, love, relationships, loneliness...but mostly encouraged his addressee to embrace the difficulty and pain of solitude. Beautiful and thoughtful, and a very quick read. 5 out of 5 on GR.

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dawn-pInk
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Rilke is so sweet with Kappus. And has a truly beautiful mind. So much inspiration.

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dawn-pInk
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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“But in these weeks of the awakening Spring
Something within me has been freed- something
That in the past dark years unconscious lay,
Which rises now within me and commands
And gives my poor warm life into your hands
Who know not what I was that Yesterday.”

OMW to NYC for HPatCC!

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jmofo
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Pickpick

I loved this book. It‘s bound to be perennial reread (haha).
I don‘t always agree with Rilke but there are beliefs in here I hold that I appreciated reading someone far away in time and space articulating.
Also, his tenderness to the human he was writing to is powerful and moving.
Thank you @Trashcanman for this lovely gift.
#24B42019 checking in at 13 hours, 33 minutes.

BeansPage Great time hon! 5y
Andrew65 Going really well. Keep going. 👍😊 5y
SkeletonKey I think I‘m going to read that this year! 5y
jmofo @SkeletonKey I hope you enjoy it! 👋 5y
39 likes4 comments
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jmofo
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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Thank you @Trashcanman for the very kind gift! I‘m looking forward to to reading this!

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applesauce
Letters to a Young Poet | Rainer Maria Rilke
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My absolute favorite quote from #rainermariarilke

CarolynM Welcome to Litsy 🌼 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 5y
Eggs ❤️ Rilke! Welcome to Litsy 🎉😊👋🏻 5y
27 likes3 comments
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Blooferlady
Letters to a Young Poet (Revised) | Stephen Mitchell, Rainer Rilke

Read as little as possible of literary criticism—such things are either partisan opinions, which have become petrified and meaningless, hardened and empty of life, or else they are just clever word-games, in which one view wins today, and tomorrow the opposite view.

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Blooferlady
Letters to a Young Poet (Revised) | Stephen Mitchell, Rainer Rilke

Ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple “I must,” then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse.