Life's Sweet Secret

You see, I want a lot
Perhaps I want everything
The darkness that comes
with every infinite fall
and the shivering blaze of every step up.

So many live on and want nothing
and are raised to the rank of prince
by the slippery ease of their light judgments.

But what you love to see
are faces that do work and feel thirst.
You love most of all those who need you
as they need a crowbar or a hoe.

You have not grown old,
and it is not too late
to dive into your increasing depths
where life calmly gives out
its own sweet secret.

~Rainer Maria Rilke