Poem: "Annunciation: The Words of the Angel" by Rainer Maria Rilke

You are no closer to God than any of us;

we all live far and wide.

But it’s wonderful how your hands

have been sanctified.

They don’t find a match in other women’s,

so brilliant from beneath their sleeves:

I am the day, I am the dew,

but you are tree.

I am rather tired now, my journey was long,

forgive that I forgot

that he, who sat in gilded garb

like in a ray of light,

sends news to you, you quiet one

(this room here startled me).

Look: I am the beginning one,

but you are tree.

I spread my wings apart

and become oddly broad;

now your little house is flooded

with my coat.

And still, you are so all alone

as never before, me you hardly see;

because I am just breath in woods,

but you are tree.

All the angels are worried now,

letting go of each other’s hands:

never before was there such a longing,

so uncertain and immense.

Perhaps it will come about soon

and you will grasp it as if in a dream.

Blessings to you, my soul perceives

you are ready and ripe to receive.

You are a great and lofty gate

and about to open up.

You are my song’s most beloved ear.

I feel there disappears and seeps

into you my word.

That’s how I came and completed

your dream among a thousand and one.

And with blinding eyes God looked at me …

But you are tree.