Falling Stars || Rainer M. Rilke

Do you remember still the falling stars
that like swift horses through the heavens raced
and suddenly leaped across the hurdles
of our wishes--do you recall? And we
did make so many! For there were countless numbers
of stars: each time we looked above we were
astounded by the swiftness of their daring play,
while in our hearts we felt safe and secure
watching these brilliant bodies disintegrate,
knowing somehow we had survived their fall.

--

It is honestly hard to picture falling stars as horses in space, however I like the grace attached to it. And how such animal is favored as a very loyal companion. The poem speaks as if each star we can see is falling, and it makes you think that they indeed are, in their own way. The ending is very beautiful and special. A part of me is forced to feel solitary solace. There are countless worlds out there, and they have died... we are aware that out time will come too someday. Yet, that knowledge can sometimes feel like an embrace from a blanket of snow. I want to experience different worlds, different possibilities outside our planet. I may have survived their fall, but sometimes, when I've had enough of the world down here, I fantasize being a part of their disintegrating body.