January 24, 2021
more poetry
My post vaccine report is that I am a little tired and have a sore arm after my second vaccine so I will respect that and get some rest. Some of my colleagues are having a worse time but we all feel it is worth it.
We can always us more poetry and I can use more rest. I suspect many of you are sleeping better these days and you may appreciate this poem from Theodore Roethke. He taught at University of Washington for 15 years.
We must all rest up because we are not finished with our journey, so many still hurting and so many lost. You know what to do.
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.