Visitation - Rainer Maria Rilke

[Larry Robinson]

Visitation


It was still easy for her in the beginning,
only when climbing she would
be aware of her heavy womb, -
and then she stood, breathing,

on the Jewish mountains. But not the land
spread about her, but her fullness; and
while walking she knew: nowhere
was there such fullness as hers.

And she felt compelled to feel with her hand
the womb of hers who was further along.
Toward each other they swayingly stepped
and caressed the dress and the hair.

Each woman was filled with sacred life
and safe and at ease with the relative.
And though the savior was hardly in bloom,
the Baptist in the cousin’s womb
already jumped for joy.

	- Rainer Maria Rilke
	  (Translated by Annemarie S. Kidder)