What does Rainer Maria Rilke mean by “making objects out of fear”?

In a letter written in July 1903 to Lou Andreas-Salomó, Rainer Maria Rilke defined his creative method as "making objects out of fear."

This formulation is closely linked to his development of the Ding-Gedicht (or "object poem"), a style of lyric poetry he cultivated during his years in Paris. These poems sought to capture the plastic essence of physical objects, often serving as imaginative verbal translations of visual arts, landscapes, or portraits.

While Rilke’s work evolved toward a more affirmative, cosmic vision in his later years—such as in the Duino Elegies—the phrase "making objects out of fear" reflects his earlier, intense commitment to transforming internal emotional states into concrete, objective artistic forms. This method of "anonymous labor" allowed him to channel his profound emotional and moral engagement into a distinct, refined language that departed from traditional poetic styles.1