If only there were stillness, full, complete

If only there were stillness, full, complete.
If all the random and approximate
were muted, with neighbours' laughter, for your sake,
and if the clamor that my senses make
did not confound the vigil I would keep-

"Then in a thousandfold thought I could think
you out, even to your utmost brink,
and (while a smile endures) possess you,giving
you away, as though I were but giving thanks,
to all the living"

Rainer Maria Rilke, from The Book of Hours (tr.Babette Deutsch)