POeT SHOTS is a monthly series published on the third Tuesday of the month. It features work by established writers followed by commentary and insight by Ed Krizek.
The Waking
by Theodore Roethke
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.
“The Waking” is a villanelle by Theodore Roethke which Brings us in touch with life and death as well as simply living. The villanelle has its roots in French folksong from around the fourteenth century. The form is used particularly well here by the poet. Another famous villanelle is “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas.
In this poem, Roethke asks us to “learn by going” as we move through existence. He celebrates life: “God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,/…” Roethke also discusses the mystery of life: “Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?”. Still there is the ultimate conclusion to life when Roethke explains that “Great Nature has another thing to do/ To you and me;…so take the lively air.”
This is one of the truly great poems of the twentieth century. Every time I read it, I am struck by the simplicity and elegance of the poetic statements found within it. Many of you may be familiar with it. “The Waking” causes one to remember to savor life as we live.
Ed Krizek holds a BA and MS from University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA and MPH from Columbia University. For over twenty years Ed has been studying and writing poetry. He is the author of six books of poetry: Threshold, Longwood Poems, What Lies Ahead, Swimming With Words, The Pure Land, and This Will Pass. All are available on Amazon. Ed writes for the reader who is not necessarily an initiate into the poetry community. He likes to connect with his readers on a personal level.