October 20, 2014

The Waking by Theodore Roethke

a_lighttakesthetree.jpg

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

Posted by gerardvanderleun at October 20, 2014 12:07 PM
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Well, it seems our host has found time from his pile of boxes to offer up some pleasant and refreshing articles.

Thanks G, I needed something nice to get me going.

Posted by: chasmatic at October 20, 2014 4:53 AM

>>This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

You can never know how valuable this poem was to my family today.

Thank you.

Posted by: Katherine at October 21, 2014 9:14 AM