Villanelle 5

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.