Friday, December 25, 2015

I learn by going where I have to go

My heart keeps open house,
My doors are widely swung.
~Theodore Roethke


Merry Christmas! I put together this post ahead of time and decided to share these poems before I realized that I'd be sharing them on Christmas. They aren't traditional for the holiday, but they suit the occasion pretty well in their own way. These three poems/excerpts are by Pulitzer prizewinner Theodore Roethke. The Waking starts about twenty seconds in:



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.

Read the rest here.

**********

Once More, The Round
by Theodore Roethke

What's greater, Pebble or Pond?
What can be known? The Unknown.
My true self runs toward a Hill
More! O More! visible.

Now I adore my life
With the Bird, the abiding Leaf,
With the Fish, the questing Snail,
And the Eye altering All;
And I dance with William Blake
For love, for Love's sake;

And everything comes to One,
As we dance on, dance on, dance on.

**********

An excerpt from The Light Comes Brighter:

And soon a branch, part of a hidden scene,
The leafy mind, that long was tightly furled,
Will turn its private substance into green,
And young shoots spread upon our inner world.

**********

Live Your Poem has the Poetry Friday round-up.

7 comments:

Author Amok said...

I'll always remember the first time I heard, "The Waking," shared by a friend of mine at a poetry workshop. Villanelles are challenging to write, and this one flows so beautifully.

Irene Latham said...

May young shoots spread upon your inner world, Tabatha -- and in everyone's! Thank you for sharing these. And thank you for the picture of your beautiful family! xo

Diane Mayr said...

God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there, I hope 2016 will see all of us learning to walk softly. There is only so much the earth will bear.

jan godown annino said...

O, this is quite perfect. I didn't know it - appreciations for everything here, Tabatha!

Donna Smith said...

Thanks for sharing these, Tabatha. I was unfamiliar with Roethke. These are wonderful!

Ruth said...

Thank you! You always share treasures!

laurasalas said...

I don't know his work well--boy, is it mesmerizing...Thanks, Tabatha! Wishing you a joyous New Year!