National Poetry Month

The Waking (1953)

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

We are off to work today and have a staff meeting tonight for the state parks volunteers (therefore not leaving much room for fun! things today) so I thought I would share a bit of verse from one of my favorite poets to celebrate National Poetry Month. I am working on a photo project that I will share the results of soon in which I am using lines from a Roethke poem.

Oh, the photo above is a shot of Cream Cups which are one of my favorite flowers blooming out on the headlands right now.

Happy Hump Day y'all!