Rainer Maria Rilke, A Year with Rilke: Daily Readings from the Best of Rainer Maria Rilke translated and edited by Joanna Macy and Anita Barrows (New York: Harper, 2009)

I really did spend a year with Rilke, reading the first entry on January 1, 2013 and the last on December 31, 2013. I added a reading from the book into my daily discipline, after writing by blog, but before the first cup of coffee of the day.

Joanna Macy and Anita Barrows have done an excellent job of translating Rilke for an audience that speaks only English. The translations themselves are poetic, lyrical and rhythmic. It was a joy to mark my days with these readings and already I miss the daily challenge, though I’ve begun a new discipline with a new poet for this year.

Rilke wrote about a surprising range of topics, emotions, and life experiences. And his words brought to life the connections between a time gone by and the times in which we live. I definitely recommend Rilke to anyone who appreciates the beauty of thought and thoughts of beauty.