automn day

"Lord: it is time. The huge summer has gone by.

Now overlap the sundials with your shadows,

and on the meadows let the wind go free.

Command the fruits to swell on tree and vine;

grant them a few more warm transparent days,

urge them on to fulfillment then, and press

the final  sweetness into the heavy wine.

Whoever has no house now, will never have one. 

Whoever is alone will stay alone, 

will seat, read, write long letters through the evening,

and wander on the boulevards, up and down,

restlessly, while the dry leaves are blowing."

         RILKE,  translated from German by Stephen Mitchell