We have a marvelous, almost legendary, image of the circumstances in which the composition of this great poem began. Rilke was staying at a castle (Duino) on the sea near Trieste. One morning he walked out on the battlements and climbed down to where the rocks dropped sharply to the sea. From out of the wind, which was blowing with great force, Rilke seemed to hear a voice: Wer, wenn ich schriee, horte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen? (If I cried out, who would hear me up there, among the angelic orders?). He wrote these words, the opening of the first Duino Elegy, in his notebook, then went inside to continue what was to be his major work and one of the literary masterpieces of the century.

About the Author
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), the author of Sonnets to Orpheus, Duino Elegies and Letters to a Young Poet, was one of the greatest poets of the German language.

Reviews
"...masterly and life-changing. Probably the most extraordinary poems I have read in years." Ben Okri, New Statesman"



Book Information
ISBN 9780393328844
Author Rainer Maria Rilke
Format Paperback
Page Count 204
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 240g
Dimensions(mm) 203mm * 137mm * 15mm