ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Heidegger's readings of Holderlin, which carry over into our reading of Rilke. It analyses Heidegger's use of the term destitute times, which he draws from the poetry of Holderlin, for as opposed to the condition of historical nihilism, it is far more complex than merely the moment when, as Nietzsche recognizes, the highest values devalue themselves. The chapter focuses on Holderlin in the attempt to demonstrate how his poetry holds the potential to inspire the future overcoming of an epoch that has lost its relationship to the "holy" or the Greek fire from Heaven, which is necessary for the potential return of the gods or the "Unknown God". It presents historical phenomenon of a people appropriating the destiny that has been apportioned and is appropriate to that people by way of Being's destining. The chapter describes challenges in Heidegger's understanding of Rilke as set forth in the lecture course, Parmenides and the essay "What Are Poets For".
