For Rilke Poem by Michael Shepherd

What is the subject of your poem?
‘I was there.’

Why is it so important to you?
‘I was there.’

How can you describe it?
‘I was there.’

What did you know of it?
‘I was there.’

And what did it teach you?
‘Of itself, nothing;
only that I was there.’

And what will that bring to you?
‘Now, all may be known.’

Then what can your poem share with others?
‘Be there too.’

What can you say now
to those who thirst after knowledge?
‘Be here.’

What can you say now
to those who thirst after God?
‘Be here.’

And what of poetry and praise?
‘Always now.’

And what of your soul?
‘Always here, and always now.’

What then, the Creator’s message?
‘Be here; be now; be always.’

And what the Creator’s smile of love?
‘The here; the now; the always.’