The World Will Freely Offer Itself to You…
June 10th, 2010
You do not need to leave your room…
Remain sitting at your table and listen.
Do not even listen, simply wait.
Do not even wait,
be quite still and solitary.
The world will freely offer itself to you
to be unmasked.
It has no choice.
It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
Franz Kafka
Not sure about the last line, but great stuff even so!
4 Responses to “The World Will Freely Offer Itself to You…”
Indeed. It has astonished me what has come to me in hours of reposing, just undergoing.
“It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
Not sure about the last line, but great stuff even so!”
I think I was put in mind of warm, foamy waves on the beach. But then there is something a little sinister about it on second reading. Maybe we need to remember it’s Kafka? Great poem.
Dear Philip,
At long last coming round again to visit your inspiring web log – and was intrigued to find your post of this poem by Kafka.
Thirty-five years ago, whilst working on the written part (the other part was a singing recital) of my Master’s degree in music, this was the ‘mantra’ propped up on my writing table, where I could see it from my type-writer!
Like the core-leitmotiv of an opera or symphony, these lines have sounded, spiralling along the staves of a score I call my years; appearing, then diving back into the oceanic orchestration of hours, days and decades, to re-emerge each time as the same guiding melody, yet as new music – fresh and astonishing and in the same instance – ancient; even timeless; rolling into shore in the chiming foam of wisdom, and in her waves – roaring, deep with resonance; undaunted in simplicity, relentless in humility – singing – ever more true, in my ears.
Sitting here now at my desk, looking out into the garden lush with summer, they still do!
With Thanks and Love,
Gabriella
I think I understand the last line. It’s difficult to explain, however. You would have to experience it. It’s a good experience, you just have to get there.
There is always time.
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