Two Rilke Poems is a beautiful pairing of poems written by Rainer Maria Rilke, and movingly translated in tandem by the late poet Leslie Norris and German scholar Alan Keele. The poems, “Todeserfahrung”/“The Passing” and ”Auferweckung des Lazarus”/“The Reawakening of Lazarus,” both treat the subject of death, but do so in a way that communicate to the reader a deep and majestic sense of awe and hope.

The first time that Leslie Norris read his powerful interpretation of “The Reawakening of Lazarus” in a public venue, we were privileged to be in attendance. It was no less than electrifying. At another time, the two translators had a mutual friend who lost a son to suicide, and it was their desire to offer comfort that provided the impetus for their sensitive work on “The Passing.” 

This highly limited edition book is a response to a wonderful bereavement piece given to us in like manner by a friend and fellow letterpress publisher, Paul Alessini, proprietor of Officina Dante. Images of his piece follow photos of Two Rilke Poems in the slideshow below.

In early 2008 Two Rilke Poems was selected for exhibition by the Columbia College Center for Book & Paper Arts in their prestigious 5th International Book & Paper Arts Triennial Exhibition.

Handset in Samson Uncial, a face designed by Victor Hammer, and printed on Somerset paper, the two poems are presented in triptych fashion on foldout pages, with bold, bright images flanked by the German and the English verses. Illustrations throughout the book were achieved by combining monoprints with transfer drawings and gilding with white gold and 24-karat yellow gold. Each book is bound in wooden boards which have been embellished with a transfer drawing and gold leaf.

Edition of 12. 14 pages.

Hardbound. $740.00 plus tax and shipping.