In the church calendar, we are now moving into the long period called Ordinary Time. Here on the blog, the translations we post will change as well: after posting a number of sonnets marking particular times in the church year, we will explore other themes for a while, beginning with one from Greiffenberg’s series of sonnets on spring.
Rain does no harm; it multiplies our pleasure a thousandfold, and makes life more delightful. Heaven has suckled the earth with its breast, and the sun’s rays shine with laughter. Rain is a nectar-sip, desire-arousing sap: the sun is put to sleep, only to wake refreshed. Its briefly-hidden beams bring forth more desire. (Absence increases longing, as everyone well knows.)
Rain is the heaven-spirit, distilled and bright, the balm that fills the world with flowered rest. When God breaks the cloud-glass, joy pours out, a heavenly tincture that adorns the earth with gold. Rain is the blessing-wine from the mouth of God: pleasure abounds, and the land grows fruitful.
Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.