Poet's Corner: exposed on the cliffs of the heart by Rilke

This is the poem I used as inspiration for my BTS RM/Jimin PWP: exposed on the cliffs of the heart.

exposed on the cliffs of the heart by Rainer Maria Rilke (translated by Stephen Mitchell--my favourite of Rilke's translators)

Exposed on the cliffs of the heart. Look, how tiny down there,
look: the last village of words and, higher,
(but how tiny) still one last
farmhouse of feeling. Can you see it?
Exposed on the cliffs of the heart. Stoneground
under your hands. Even here, though,
something can bloom; on a silent cliff-edge
an unknowing plant blooms, singing, into the air.
But the one who knows? Ah, he began to know
and is quiet now, exposed on the cliffs of the heart.
While, with their full awareness,
many sure-footed mountain animals pass
or linger. And the great sheltered bird flies, slowly
circling, around the peak’s pure denial.—But
without a shelter, here on the cliffs of the heart . . . .

My poem: the bangle: gen

Title: bangle
Rating: Gen
Length: 101
Poetic form: English sonnet
Notes: This is based on one of my spiritual guru's metaphors. The idea that self-will (ego) over times creates shackles which prevent the spiritual aspirant from moving along the spiritual path.

these bangles round the wrists were forge of much
indulgence, blows of self-will repeated.
these rings clamped tight round swollen limbs, of such
constriction; freedom, blood flow impeded

their jingle, reminder of choices made,
their jangle, life’s companion sound, and yet
they won’t go, they won’t be shattered or frayed,
these lovely shackles coaxed on and then set

restraint, denial of will, the only cure,
to think not of oneself, but others’ needs
then little by little, forbearing lure,
engorged ego deflates and bloat recedes.

then bangles can be slipped off, cast away,
and limbs, unfettered, spread to greet new day