Rainer Maria Rilke - Remembrance lyrics

Expectant and waiting you muse On the great rare thing which alone To enhance your life you would choose: The awakening of the stone, The deeps where yourself you would lose. In the dusk of the shelves, embossed Shine the volumes in gold and browns, And you think of countries once crossed, Of pictures, of shimmering gowns Of the women that you have lost. And it comes to you then at last— And you rise for you are aware Of a year in the far off past With its wonder and fear and prayer.