‘Brother Body’
I was reminded recently of my fragility after the coronavirus rudely invited itself into my body and overstayed its welcome for two weeks. I wasn’t my usual self, and my body was also acting in unusual ways. As though it barely knew me – in the words Rilke uses to describe the relationship between his body and his consciousness during his time of illness. But even when the body acts meanly in wretched moments, it asks to be accepted as the friend it always was in good times. And yes, we do have a lot to be thankful for, my body and I: it offers me the only means I have of being in this world that I love.
Brother Body
Brother body is poor … that means we must be rich for him.
He was often the rich one; so may he be forgiven
for the meanness of his wretched moments.
Then, when he acts as though he barely knows us,
may he be gently reminded of all that has been shared.
Of course, we are not one but two solitaries:
our consciousness and he.
But how much we have to thank each other for,
as friends do! And illness reminds us:
friendship demands a lot.
Rainer Maria Rilke, Uncollected Poems (in the sanitarium, in Rilke’s final illness) From: A Year with Rilke: Daily Readings from the Best of Rainer Maria Rilke. Copyright © 2009 by Joanna Macy and Anita Barrows. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. ISBN 978-0-06-198695-6
Two questions to think about after reading the poem:
- If you were to have a conversation with your body, what would you talk about?
- Rilke mentions being “friends” with his body. How would you describe your relationship to your body?
Robert, Dec 2020
Photo by Jason Schjerven on Unsplash
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I love the way Rilke pictures the relationship between our body and consciousness as friends, for whom mutual care is costly and precious. That feels like a call to more reality for me and a challenge to respond to.
Rilke’s poem and your thoughts shed new light on how one should relate to oneself. After watching the film, ‘ Billie Elliot’, in which a boy discovers that his body needs to dance, rather than box, I find the matter of caring for one’s self especially pertinent. Maybe in the midst of a pandemic, the idea of caring for our own health is key, but also caring for others. My son and I shall go for a long walk today! That often also gives my soul a sense of peace.
Three cheers for Billy Elliot!!! Great film.
Thank you for this poem…words and thoughts I needed to read this morn. The offered questions were especially helpful as I struggle through healing from a bruising fall, a maybe broken toe, fussy knees and increasing age. Am I willing to listen to this body of mine and hear what it wants me to know? I suspect that part of the conversation would also include reminiscing about the many wonderful years of climbing trees, running through fields, playing sports always with my body supporting my heart’s desires. Now it may be time to offer understanding support of my body!