Week #12—Improv

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 tak my waking slow.

I learn by going where I have to go.

I yearn to write, and burn my yearning bright.

I see my fear in what I cannot feel.

I live by trusting what I think is right.

We love by seeing. Who is in your sight?

I sense your presence when I go to kneel.

I yearn to write, and burn my yearning bright.

In many who surround me, are you Light?

You shine your face! I catch a glimpse of real,

And live by trusting what I think is right.

Death makes us Free; but can you quell the fright?

The world supplies us with abundant yield;

 I yearn to write, and burn my yearning bright.

Grim Reaper plans to take another bite

of two or three, so eat your holy meal

and, brother, try to think of what is right.

This worry makes me giggle, I get tight.

What hurts me dies hard. And I lose my zeal.

I live by trusting what I think is right.

I yearn to write, and burn my yearning bright.