Thursday, April 02, 2009

I Learn By Going


The Waking

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.

- Theodore Roethke (1953)

Kindried Spirits - Kremode Spirit Bear by Marion Rose

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

the painting/photo is particularly beautiful.

Hecate said...

One of my favorites

Cari said...

Oh, Sia, thank you for posting this, one of my very favorite poems but a poet I love, Roethke, since college days. Lovely.