I feel my fate in what I cannot fear

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 {1908-1963} 'The Waking', from The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke]