She sat just like the others at the table. <br />But on second glance, she seemed to hold her cup <br />a little differently as she picked it up. <br />She smiled once. It was almost painful. <br /> <br />And when they finished and it was time to stand <br />and slowly, as chance selected them, they left <br />and moved through many rooms (they talked and laughed), <br />I saw her. She was moving far behind <br /> <br />the others, absorbed, like someone who will soon <br />have to sing before a large assembly; <br />upon her eyes, which were radiant with joy, <br />light played as on the surface of a pool. <br /> <br />She followed slowly, taking a long time, <br />as though there were some obstacle in the way; <br />and yet: as though, once it was overcome, <br />she would be beyond all walking, and would fly.<br /><br />Rainer Maria Rilke<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/going-blind/