Sunday, June 04, 2006

A poem | 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 behind 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 lonely 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


thanks Mona for sharing this with me...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful poem (although I'm not sure I agree with all of the "philosophy" behind it -- "Great Nature" almost suggests a controling force other than God; may Allah protect us from such beliefs).

But jazakillahu khayran for sharing!