Posted on Wednesday, 30 July 2003
The original sonnet was written in German so my version is, at best, approximate.
To improve her works. Now and forever
It is hers, if there be truth. She appears then departs.
Is it not enough that some moments we see
Her meanings survive in our offerings?
And though we all wonder at her transience
She had to leave, for the rest to appreciate!
For when her works expand beyond the end,
She has left, where we cannot follow.
The bits of ivory never shallowed her mind.
And she is best admired when we tread beyond.
With apologies to Reiner Maria Rilke