Rilke - By Night I Want to Talk to the Angel

 

By night I want to talk to the angel
to ask him, does he recognise my eyes.
If he should suddenly ask: Do you see Eden?
Then should I tell him: Eden burns

I long to lift my hard mouth to him,
hardened by the lack of all desires.
And should the angel say: Do you feel life?
Then should I tell him: Life destroys

If he should find a certain joy within me
that in his ghost becomes eternities –
and lift it shining in his hands before me
then should I tell him: Joy deceives