Read the excerpt from "Maidens at Confirmation” by Rainer Maria Rilke.Outside the day was one of green and blue,With touches of a luminous glowing red,Across the quiet pond the small waves sped.Beyond the city, gardens hidden from viewSent odors of sweet blossoms on the breezeAnd singing sounded through the far off trees.It was as though garlands crowned everythingAnd all things were touched softly by the sun; And many windows opened one by oneAnd the light trembled on them glistening.