‘The Panther’ … Pen & Wash – WHB: 2017
The Panther
His vision, from the constantly passing bars,
has grown so weary that it cannot hold
anything else. It seems to him there are
a thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world.
As he paces in cramped circles, over and over,
the movement of his powerful soft strides
is like a ritual dance around a center
in which a mighty will stands paralyzed.
Only at times, the curtain of the pupils
lifts, quietly … An image enters in,
rushes down through the tensed, arrested muscles,
plunges into the heart and is gone.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Roland's Ragbag 
Thank you Roland for introducing this poem by Rilke. I am very fond of his poetry and always liked one description; ‘ he wanted to reconcile beauty and suffering’.
It came to mind whilst reading ‘The Panther’ – this beautiful animal suffering the loss of his life.
” Like a ritual dance around the centre
in which the mighty will stand paralysed ”
Says Rilke.
I cannot bear t watch these big animals in cages and so many parks now give them space to roam. Still not sufficient – imprisonment will never be.
Miriam
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Thank you, Miriam, for your sensitive response. You express feelings with which, along with Rilke, I certainly agree.
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An excellent poem Roland and thank you for the introduction to Rilke, I have not read any of his work. This poem demonstrates why animals should never be kept behind bars. As Miriam points out, things are getting better but still a long way to go. A good thought provoking start to the week. Thank you again.
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Thank you for your response, Davy. The poem always reminds me of Blake’s, “A Robin readbreast in a cage, Puts all heaven in a rage.”
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