Posted by OddipusRex on March 26, 2003, at 10:50:42
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
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Is it okay to post other people's poems here? I know theY're all over the internet and obviously copyrighted. But is it okay if the Author is mentioned? I know I've posted copyrighted articles from NYtimes. Just letting everyone know I'm not trying to break the law here.What does this poem mean to you? It's talking about death to me-the awareness of death and the moment in the sense of mindfulness of this being all there is. I have to insist on the Eternal Present rather than total meaninglessness though.
What do you think the image about the lowly worm climbs up a winding stair means? The idea of death coming into consciousness, the worms go in and the worms go out of course, it makes me think of evolution is that weird? Yes probably because I always wanted to ask someone about it and now that I've found someone to ask it doesn't exactly feel that way to me. But the line being next to the Light takes the tree which always reminded me of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden..............
What falls away is always........that line just feels like how I feel right now. Always has bit the dust for me.
And learn by going where I have to go.......Agree. I can't do psychobabble(excuse the expression) about where I "choose" to go. I'm going places I never would have chosen and it's just stupid for me to pretend I chose. I guess I can choose whether to go with my eyes open or closed.
Does anyone else have impressions or thoughts about the poem or one they'd like to post? .
poster:OddipusRex
thread:213033
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/books/20020616/msgs/213033.html