Translation Rilke's Herbsttag (Autumn Day)

Lord, it is time, a lengthy summer ends, so throw your shadow onto sundial clocks, as I await the forest winds you send, command all fruits to ripen, full and well and give to them two days of southern sun to thus ensure perfection as they swell in luscious sweetness, soon thy wine be done. For those without a house, I say, oh hear you shall not build and, if you are alone no soul will come to you because of fear and as you wander through the avenues of stone, long nights you lay awake as you compose, write letters as within you something grieves. As tired eyes desire, soon, to close you watch there, on the streets, the drifting leaves.