Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Search the Poetry Chaikhana site:


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Forum | Video Channel
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com

<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Theodore Roethke | Next Poem >>

The Waking

Theodore Roethke, Theodore Roethke poetry, Secular or Eclectic, Secular or Eclectic poetry,  poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry,  poetry by Theodore Roethke
(1908 - 1963) Timeline

Original Language
English

Secular or Eclectic
20th Century

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.

 

 

-- from The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke, by Theodore Roethke

Amazon.com

 

Themes

  Awakening
  Bower
  Light
  Sleep
  Sound


Recommended Books


The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke, by Theodore Roethke
The Glass House: The Life of Theodore Roethke, by Allan Seager
On Poetry and Craft, by Theodore Roethke
Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs
Straw for the Fire: From the Notebooks of Theodore Roethke, by Theodore Roethke

More >>

 

<<Previous Poem | More Poems by Theodore Roethke | Next Poem >>

 

 


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Facebook | Twitter
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.