What Rilke Taught Me

“As if these colors could heal me of indecision once and for all . . .”

—Rainer Marie Rilkie, 1907

Cézanne arranged his still life with much thought,
having planned each detail of the table
with its white cloth, jug, and bowl. The apples
and oranges placed in their own spots. He
took pleasure in seeing the reds with the
greens and the blues with the yellows, and how
these colors conversed quietly among
themselves. Painting was a simple act of
love, one that held on, continued. His work
came from this. Oh Lord, how to live like that.