Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 5 minutes ago

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“Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower” by Rainer Maria Rilke is part of our “Poetry Films” series, which features animated interpretations of beloved poems from our archive. Check out the full series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...​.

We know poetry to be a critical pillar of public life. It rises up when official language fails us. And it gives voice to what is human and what is true, how we connect and what questions we hold.

Poetry has moved to the heart of what we offer on the radio and in podcasts, which is why we’re excited to have partnered with talented illustrators, animators, and directors to reimagine poetry in visual, dynamic ways.

This poem is read by Joanna Macy. You can listen to and read this poem here: onbeing.org/poetry/let-this-darkness-be-a-bell-tower

Illustration & Animation by Matt Huynh & Mila Nery (http://www.matthuynh.com)
Sound and Music by Chris Heagle

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