Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Be Not Afraid, God" by Rainer Maria Rilke takes on a reverential yet critical look at the complex relationship between the Divine and mankind's possessive inclinations. The poem serves as a plea to God not to be deceived by human claims of ownership, which are seen as superficial and misplaced.

The poem opens with an audacious yet touching address: "Be not afraid, God." Rilke humanizes the divine, pleading with God not to be duped by mankind's sense of ownership-our proclivity to say "mine" to things that can never truly be owned. This claim, Rilke argues, is as frivolous as the wind declaring ownership of a tree because it rustles its leaves. Rilke emphasizes the human failure to understand the very essence of things, saying that people are "singed" by merely coming into contact with the fringes of the radiant existence that God touches.

The poem also offers a keen observation on human arrogance in presuming a sense of ownership over life and material possessions. Rilke uses the metaphor of a peasant claiming friendship with a far-off prince to signify how ludicrous it is for humans to claim ownership of something as vast and incomprehensible as the Divine. This sense of ownership extends to personal relationships and property; people say "my wife," "my child," "my life," not realizing that these are "alien forms" with existences beyond human grasp.

Rilke suggests that such people are aimless wanderers, "walking in the void," clinging to a false sense of ownership. The ones who truly understand the transient nature of things are the "great," as they "long for eyes," or seek insight and enlightenment. In this context, Rilke's poem can be seen as an existential critique, highlighting the futility of possessiveness in a transient world.

Towards the end, the poet turns to God once more, imploring Him to remain undisturbed by these human frailties. Even those who claim to know God, to love Him, cannot claim ownership over the Divine. The poem closes with a beautiful image of God as "unripened wine," which grows "sweeter in its solitude," independent and untouched.

Rilke's poem addresses the complexities of human possessiveness, love, and spirituality in an insightful manner. It critiques the arrogance that underlies human claims to ownership, contrasting this with the infinite and unpossessable nature of God. It suggests that the spiritual quest is not one of ownership but of understanding and communion, a quest that humbles rather than aggrandizes the seeker. Overall, "Be Not Afraid, God" stands as a poignant reminder of the limitations of human perception and ownership in the face of the Divine, underscoring the need for humility and wisdom in our spiritual and existential pursuits.

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