Classic Poetry Series

Theodore Roethke
- poems -
Publication Date:
2004
Publisher:
PoemHunter.Com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
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Child on Top of a Greenhouse
Thewindbillowingouttheseatofmybritches,
Myfeetcracklingsplintersofglassanddriedputty,
Thehalf-grownchrysanthemumsstaringuplikeaccusers,
Upthroughthestreakedglass,flashingwithsunlight,
Afewwhitecloudsallrushingeastward,
Alineofelmsplungingandtossinglikehorses,
Andeveryone,everyonepointingupandshouting!
TheodoreRoethke
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Cuttings
Thisurge,wrestle,resurrectionofdrysticks,
Cutstemsstrugglingtoputdownfeet,
Whatsaintstrainedsomuch,
Roseonsuchloppedlimbstoanewlife?
Icanhear,underground,thatsuckingandsobbing,
Inmyveins,inmybonesIfeelit--
Thesmallwatersseepingupward,
Thetightgrainspartingatlast.
Whensproutsbreakout,
Slipperyasfish,
Iquail,leantobeginnings,sheath-wet.
TheodoreRoethke
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Dolor
Ihaveknowntheinexorablesadnessofpencils,
Neatintheirboxes,dolorofpadandpaperweight,
Allthemiseryofmanillafoldersandmucilage,
Desolationinimmaculatepublicplaces,
Lonelyreceptionroom,lavatory,switchboard,
Theunalterablepathosofbasinandpitcher,
Ritualofmultigraph,paper-clip,comma,
Endlessduplicatonoflivesandobjects.
AndIhaveseendustfromthewallsofinstitutions,
Finerthanflour,alive,moredangerousthansilica,
Sift,almostinvisible,throughlongafternoonsoftedium,
Droppingafinefilmonnailsanddelicateeyebrows,
Glazingthepalehair,theduplicategreystandardfaces.
TheodoreRoethke
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Elegy For Jane
<i>(Mystudent,thrownbyahorse)</i>
Iremembertheneckcurls,limpanddampastendrils;
Andherquicklook,asidelongpickerelsmile;
Andhow,oncestartedintotalk,thelightsyllablesleapedforher.
Andshebalancedinthedelightofherthought,
Awren,happy,tailintothewind,
Hersongtremblingthetwigsandsmallbranches.
Theshadesangwithher;
Theleaves,theirwhispersturnedtokissing,
Andthemouldsanginthebleachedvalleysundertherose.
Oh,whenshewassad,shecastherselfdownintosuchapuredepth,
Evenafathercouldnotfindher:
Scrapinghercheekagainststraw,
Stirringtheclearestwater.
Mysparrow,youarenothere,
Waitinglikeafern,makingaspineyshadow.
Thesidesofwetstonescannotconsoleme,
Northemoss,woundwiththelastlight.
IfonlyIcouldnudgeyoufromthissleep,
Mymaimeddarling,myskitterypigeon.
OverthisdampgraveIspeakthewordsofmylove:
I,withnorightsinthismatter,
Neitherfathernorlover.
TheodoreRoethke
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Epidermal Macabre
Indelicateishewholoathes
Theaspectofhisfleshyclothes,--
Theflyingfabricstitchedonbone,
Thevestureoftheskeleton,
Thegarmentneitherfurnorhair,
Thecloakofevilanddespair,
Theveillongviolatedby
Caressesofthehandandeye.
Yetsuchismyunseemliness:
Ihatemyepidermaldress,
Thesavageblood'sobscenity,
Theragsofmyanatomy,
AndwillinglywouldIdispense
Withfalseaccoutermentsofsense,
Tosleepimmodestly,amost
Incarnadineandcarnalghost.
TheodoreRoethke
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I Knew a Woman
Iknewawoman,lovelyinherbones,
Whensmallbirdssighed,shewouldsighbackatthem;
Ah,whenshemoved,shemovedmorewaysthanone:
Theshapesabrightcontainercancontain!
Ofherchoicevirtuesonlygodsshouldspeak,
OrEnglishpoetswhogrewuponGreek
(I'dhavethemsinginachorus,cheektocheek).
Howwellherwisheswent!Shestrokedmychin,
ShetaughtmeTurn,andCounter-turn,andStand;
ShetaughtmeTouch,thatundulantwhiteskin;
Inibbledmeeklyfromherproferredhand;
Shewasthesickle;I,poorI,therake,
Comingbehindherforherprettysake
(Butwhatprodigiousmowingwedidmake).
Lovelikesagander,andadoresagoose:
Herfulllipspursed,theerrantnotestosieze;
Sheplayeditquick,sheplayeditlightandloose;
Myeyes,theydazzledatherflowingknees;
Herseveralpartscouldkeepapurerepose,
Oronehipquiverwithamobilenose
(Shemovedincircles,andthosecirclesmoved).
Letseedbegrass,andgrassturnintohay:
I'mmartyrtoamotionnotmyown;
What'sfreedomfor?Toknoweternity.
Iswearshecastashadowwhiteasstone.
Butwhowouldcounteternityindays?
Theseoldboneslivetolearnherwantonways:
(Imeasuretimebyhowabodysways).
TheodoreRoethke
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In A Dark Time
Inadarktime,theeyebeginstosee,
Imeetmyshadowinthedeepeningshade;
Ihearmyechointheechoingwood--
Alordofnatureweepingtoatree.
Ilivebetweentheheronandthewren,
Beastsofthehillandserpentsoftheden.
What'smadnessbutnobilityofsoul
Atoddswithcircumstance?Theday'sonfire!
Iknowthepurityofpuredespair,
Myshadowpinnedagainstasweatingwall.
Thatplaceamongtherocks--isitacave,
Orawindingpath?TheedgeiswhatIhave.
Asteadystormofcorrespondences!
Anightflowingwithbirds,araggedmoon,
Andinbroaddaythemidnightcomeagain!
Amangoesfartofindoutwhatheis--
Deathoftheselfinalong,tearlessnight,
Allnaturalshapesblazingunnaturallight.
Dark,darkmylight,anddarkermydesire.
Mysoul,likesomeheat-maddenedsummerfly,
Keepsbuzzingatthesill.WhichIisI?
Afallenman,Iclimboutofmyfear.
Themindentersitself,andGodthemind,
AndoneisOne,freeinthetearingwind.
TheodoreRoethke
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Journey into the Interior
Inthelongjourneyoutoftheself,
Therearemanydetours,washed-outinterruptedrawplaces
Wheretheshaleslidesdangerously
Andthebackwheelshangalmostovertheedge
Atthesuddenveering,themomentofturning.
Bettertohugclose,waryofrubbleandfallingstones.
Thearroyocrackingtheroad,thewind-bittenbuttes,thecanyons,
Creeksswolleninmidsummerfromtheflash-floodroaringintothenarrowvalley.
Reedsbeatenflatbywindandrain,
Greyfromthelongwinter,burntatthebaseinlatesummer.
--Orthepathnarrowing,
Windingupwardtowardthestreamwithitssharpstones,
Theuplandofalderandbirchtrees,
Throughtheswampalivewithquicksand,
Thewayblockedatlastbyafallenfir-tree,
Thethicketsdarkening,
Theravinesugly.
TheodoreRoethke
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My Papa's Waltz
Thewhiskeyonyourbreath
Couldmakeasmallboydizzy;
ButIhungonlikedeath:
Suchwaltzingwasnoteasy.
Werompeduntilthepans
Slidfromthekitchenshelf;
Mymother'scountenance
Couldnotunfrownitself.
Thehandthatheldmywrist
Wasbatteredononeknuckle;
Ateverystepyoumissed
Myrightearscrapedabuckle.
Youbeattimeonmyhead
Withapalmcakedhardbydirt,
Thenwaltzedmeofftobed
Stillclingingtoyourshirt.
TheodoreRoethke
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Night Journey
Nowasthetrainbearswest,
Itsrhythmrockstheearth,
AndfrommyPullmanberth
Istareintothenight
Whileotherstaketheirrest.
Bridgesofironlace,
Asuddennessoftrees,
Alapofmountainmist
Allcrossmylineofsight,
Thenableakwastedplace,
Andalakebelowmyknees.
FullonmyneckIfeel
Thestrainingatacurve;
Mymusclesmovewithsteel,
Iwakeineverynerve.
Iwatchabeaconswing
Fromdarktoblazingbright;
Wethunderthroughravines
Andgullieswashedwithlight.
Beyondthemountainpass
Mistdeepensonthepane;
Werushintoarain
Thatrattlesdoubleglass.
Wheelsshaketheroadbedstone,
Thepistonsjerkandshove,
Istayuphalfthenight
ToseethelandIlove.
TheodoreRoethke
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Once More, the Round
What'sgreater,PebbleorPond?
Whatcanbeknown?TheUnknown.
MytrueselfrunstowardaHill
More!OMore!visible.
NowIadoremylife
WiththeBird,theabidingLeaf,
WiththeFish,thequestingSnail,
AndtheEyealteringAll;
AndIdancewithWilliamBlake
Forlove,forLove'ssake;
AndeverythingcomestoOne,
Aswedanceon,danceon,danceon.
TheodoreRoethke
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Pickle Belt
Thefruitrolledbyallday.
Theyprayedthecogswouldcreep;
TheythoughtaboutSaturdaypay,
AndSundaysleep.
Whateverhesmelledwasgood:
Thefruitandfleshsmellsmixed.
Therebesidehimshestood,--
Andhe,perplexed;
He,inhisshrunkenbritches,
Eyesrimmedwithpickledust,
Pricklingwithalltheitches
Ofsixteen-year-oldlust.
TheodoreRoethke
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selections from I Am! Said the Lamb
IhadaDonkey,thatwasallright,
ButhealwayswantedtoflymyKite;
EverytimeIlethim,theStringwouldbust.
YourDonkeyisbetterbehaved,Itrust.

TheodoreRoethke
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She
Ithinkthedeadaretender.Shallwekiss?--
Myladylaughs,delightinginwhatis.
Ifshebutsighs,abirdputsoutitstongue.
Shemakesspacelonelywithalovelysong.
Sheliltsalowsoftlanguage,andIhear
Downlongsea-chambersoftheinnerear.
Wesingtogether;wesingmouthtomouth.
Thegardenisariverflowingsouth.
Shecriesoutloudthesoul'sownsecretjoy;
Shedances,andthegroundbearsheraway.
Sheknowsthespeechoflight,andmakesitplain
Alivelythingcancometolifeagain.
Ifeelherpresenceinthecommonday,
Inthatslowdarkthatwidenseveryeye.
Shemovesaswatermoves,andcomestome,
Stayedbywhatwas,andpulledbywhatwouldbe.
TheodoreRoethke
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Snake
Isawayoungsnakeglide
Outofthemottledshade
Andhang,limponastone:
Athinmouth,andatongue
Stayed,inthestillair.
Itturned;itdrewaway;
Itsshadowbentinhalf;
Itquickenedandwasgone
Ifeltmyslowbloodwarm.
Ilongedtobethatthing.
Thepure,sensuousform.
AndImaybe,sometime.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Bat
Bydaythebatiscousintothemouse.
Helikestheatticofanaginghouse.
Hisfingersmakeahatabouthishead.
Hispulsebeatissoslowwethinkhimdead.
Heloopsincrazyfigureshalfthenight
Amongthetreesthatfacethecornerlight.
Butwhenhebrushesupagainstascreen,
Weareafraidofwhatoureyeshaveseen:
Forsomethingisamissoroutofplace
Whenmicewithwingscanwearahumanface.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Far Field
I
Idreamofjourneysrepeatedly:
Offlyinglikeabatdeepintoanarrowingtunnel
Ofdrivingalone,withoutluggage,outalongpeninsula,
Theroadlinedwithsnow-ladensecondgrowth,
Afinedrysnowtickingthewindshield,
Alternatesnowandsleet,noon-comingtraffic,
Andnolightsbehind,intheblurredside-mirror,
Theroadchangingfromglazedtarfacetoarubbleofstone,
Endingatlastinahopelesssand-rut,
Wherethecarstalls,
Churninginasnowdrift
Untiltheheadlightsdarken.
II
Atthefield'send,inthecornermissedbythemower,
Wheretheturfdropsoffintoagrass-hiddenculvert,
Hauntofthecat-bird,nesting-placeofthefield-mouse,
Nottoofarawayfromtheever-changingflower-dump,
Amongthetincans,tires,rustedpipes,brokenmachinery,--
Onelearnedoftheeternal;
Andintheshrunkenfaceofadeadrat,eatenbyrainandground-beetles
(Ifoundinlyingamongtherubbleofanoldcoalbin)
Andthetom-cat,caughtnearthepheasant-run,
Itsentrailsstrewnoverthehalf-grownflowers,
Blastedtodeathbythenightwatchman.
Isufferedforyoungbirds,foryoungrabbitscaughtinthemower,
Mygriefwasnotexcessive.
FortocomeuponwarblersinearlyMay
Wastoforgettimeanddeath:
Howtheyfilledtheoriole'selm,atwitteringrestlesscloud,allonemorning,
AndIwatchedandwatchedtillmyeyesblurredfromthebirdshapes,--
CapeMay,Blackburnian,Cerulean,--
Moving,elusiveasfish,fearless,
Hanging,bunchedlikeyoungfruit,bendingtheendbranches,
Stillforamoment,
Thenpitchingawayinhalf-flight,
Lighterthanfinches,
Whilethewrensbickeredandsanginthehalf-greenhedgerows,
Andtheflickerdrummedfromhisdeadtreeinthechicken-yard.
--Ortolienakedinsand,
Inthesiltedshallowsofaslowriver,
Fingeringashell,
Thinking:
OnceIwassomethinglikethis,mindless,
Orperhapswithanothermind,lesspeculiar;
Ortosinkdowntothehipsinamossyquagmire;
Or,withskinnyknees,tositastrideawetlog,
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Believing:
I'llreturnagain,
Asasnakeoraraucousbird,
Or,withluck,asalion.
Ilearnednottofearinfinity,
Thefarfield,thewindycliffsofforever,
Thedyingoftimeinthewhitelightoftomorrow,
Thewheelturningawayfromitself,
Thesprawlofthewave,
Theon-comingwater.
III
Theriverturnsonitself,
Thetreeretreatsintoitsownshadow.
Ifeelaweightlesschange,amovingforward
Asofwaterquickeningbeforeanarrowingchannel
Whenbanksconverge,andthewideriverwhitens;
Orwhentworiverscombine,theblueglacialtorrent
Andtheyellowish-greenfromthemountainyupland,--
Atfirstaswiftripplingbetweenrocks,
Thenalongrunningoverflatstones
Beforedescendingtothealluvialplane,
Totheclaybanks,andthewildgrapeshangingfromtheelmtrees.
Theslightlytremblingwater
Droppingafineyellowsiltwherethesunstays;
Andthecrabsbaskneartheedge,
Theweedyedge,alivewithsmallsnakesandbloodsuckers,--
Ihavecometoastill,butnotadeepcenter,
Apointoutsidetheglitteringcurrent;
Myeyesstareatthebottomofariver,
Attheirregularstones,iridescentsandgrains,
Mymindmovesinmorethanoneplace,
Inacountryhalf-land,half-water.
Iamrenewedbydeath,thoughtofmydeath,
ThedryscentofadyinggardeninSeptember,
Thewindfanningtheashofalowfire.
WhatIloveisnearathand,
Always,inearthandair.
IV
Thelostselfchanges,
Turningtowardthesea,
Asea-shapeturningaround,--
Anoldmanwithhisfeetbeforethefire,
Inrobesofgreen,ingarmentsofadieu.
Amanfacedwithhisownimmensity
Wakesallthewaves,alltheirloosewanderingfire.
Themurmuroftheabsolute,thewhy
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Ofbeingbornfallsonhisnakedears.
Hisspiritmoveslikemonumentalwind
Thatgentlesonasunnyblueplateau.
Heistheendofthings,thefinalman.
Allfinitethingsrevealinfinitude:
Themountainwithitssingularbrightshade
Liketheblueshineonfreshlyfrozensnow,
Theafter-lightuponice-burdenedpines;
Odorofbasswoodonamountain-slope,
Ascentbelovedofbees;
Silenceofwateraboveasunkentree:
Thepuresereneofmemoryinoneman,--
Aripplewideningfromasinglestone
Windingaroundthewatersoftheworld.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Geranium
WhenIputherout,once,bythegarbagepail,
Shelookedsolimpandbedraggled,
Sofoolishandtrusting,likeasickpoodle,
OrawizenedasterinlateSeptember,
Ibroughtherbackinagain
Foranewroutine--
Vitamins,water,andwhatever
Sustenanceseemedsensible
Atthetime:she'dlived
Solongongin,bobbiepins,half-smokedcigars,deadbeer,
Hershriveledpetalsfalling
Onthefadedcarpet,thestale
Steakgreasestucktoherfuzzyleaves.
(Dried-out,shecreakedlikeatulip.)
Thethingssheendured!--
Thedumbdamesshriekinghalfthenight
Orthetwoofus,alone,bothseedy,
Mebreathingboozeather,
Sheleaningoutofherpottowardthewindow.
Neartheend,sheseemedalmosttohearme--
Andthatwasscary--
Sowhenthatsnufflingcretinofamaid
Threwher,potandall,intothetrash-can,
Isaidnothing.
ButIsackedthepresumptuoushagthenextweek,
Iwasthatlonely.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Meadow Mouse
1
Inashoeboxstuffedinanoldnylonstocking
SleepsthebabymouseIfoundinthemeadow,
Wherehetrembledandshookbeneathastick
TillIcaughthimupbythetailandbroughthimin,
Cradledinmyhand,
Alittlequaker,thewholebodyofhimtrembling,
Hisabsurdwhiskersstickingoutlikeacartoon-mouse,
Hisfeetlikesmallleaves,
Littlelizard-feet,
Whitishandspreadwidewhenhetriedtostruggleaway,
Wrigglinglikeaminusculepuppy.
Nowhe'seatenhisthreekindsofcheeseanddrunkfromhis
bottle-capwatering-trough--
Somuchhejustliesinonecorner,
Histailcurledunderhim,hisbellybig
Ashishead;hisbat-likeears
Twitching,tiltingtowardtheleastsound.
DoIimaginehenolongertrembles
WhenIcomeclosetohim?
Heseemsnolongertotremble.
2
Butthismorningtheshoe-boxhouseonthebackporchisempty.
Wherehashegone,mymeadowmouse,
Mythumbofachildthatnuzzledinmypalm?--
Torununderthehawk'swing,
Undertheeyeofthegreatowlwatchingfromtheelm-tree,
Tolivebycourtesyoftheshrike,thesnake,thetom-cat.
Ithinkofthenestlingfallenintothedeepgrass,
Theturtlegaspinginthedustyrubbleofthehighway,
Theparalyticstunnedinthetub,andthewaterrising,--
Allthingsinnocent,hapless,forsaken.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Minimal
Istudythelivesonaleaf:thelittle
Sleepers,numbnudgersincolddimensions,
Beetlesincaves,newts,stone-deaffishes,
Licetetheredtolonglimpsubterraneanweeds,
Squirmersinbogs,
Andbacterialcreepers
Wrigglingthroughwounds
Likeelversinponds,
Theirwanmouthskissingthewarmsutures,
Cleaningandcaressing,
Creepingandhealing.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Reckoning
Allprofitsdisappear:thegain
Ofease,thehoarded,secretsum;
Andnowgrimdigitsofoldpain
Returntolitterupourhome.
Wehuntthecauseofruin,add,
Subtract,andputourselvesinpawn;
Forallourscratchingonthepad,
Wecannottracetheerrordown.
Whatweareseekingisafare
Oneway,achancetobesecure:
Thelackthatkeepsuswhatweare,
Thepennythatusurpsthepoor.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Sloth
Inmoving-slowhehasnoPeer.
YouaskhimsomethinginhisEar,
HethinksaboutitforaYear;
And,then,beforehesaysaWord
There,upsidedown(unlikeaBird),
HewillassumethatyouhaveHeard-
AmostEx-as-per-at-ingLug.
ButshouldyoucallhismannerSmug,
He'llsighandgivehisBranchaHug;
ThenoffagaintoSleephegoes,
StillswayinggentlybyhisToes,
Andyoujustknowheknowsheknows.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Storm
1
Againstthestonebreakwater,
Onlyanominouslapping,
Whilethewindwhinesoverhead,
Comingdownfromthemountain,
Whistlingbetweenthearbors,thewindingterraces;
Athinwhineofwires,arattlingandflappingofleaves,
Andthesmallstreet-lampswingingandslammingagainst
thelamppole.
Wherehavethepeoplegone?
Thereisonelightonthemountain.
2
Alongthesea-wall,asteadysloshingoftheswell,
Thewavesnotyethigh,buteven,
Comingcloserandcloseruponeachother;
Afinefumeofraindrivinginfromthesea,
Riddlingthesand,likeawidesprayofbuckshot,
Thewindfromtheseaandthewindfromthemountaincontending,
Flickingthefoamfromthewhitecapsstraightupwardintothedarkness.
Atimetogohome!--
Andachild'sdirtyshiftbillowsupwardoutofanalley,
Acatrunsfromthewindaswedo,
Betweenthewhiteningtrees,upSantaLucia,
Wheretheheavydoorunlocks,
Andourbreathcomesmoreeasy--
Thenacrackofthunder,andtheblackrainrunsoverus,over
Theflat-roofedhouses,comingdowningusts,beating
Thewalls,theslattedwindows,driving
Thelastwatcherindoors,movingthecardplayerscloser
Totheircards,theiranisette.
3
Wecreeptoourbed,anditsstrawmattress.
Wewait;welisten.
Thestormlullsoff,thenredoubles,
Bendingthetreeshalf-waydowntotheground,
Shakingloosethelastwizenedorangesintheorchard,
Flatteningthelimbercarnations.
Aspidereaseshimselfdownfromaswayinglight-bulb,
Runningoverthecoverlet,downundertheironbedstead.
Waterroarsintothecistern.
Weliecloseronthegrittypillow,
Breathingheavily,hoping--
Forthegreatlastleapofthewaveoverthebreakwater,
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Theflatboomonthebeachofthetoweringsea-swell,
Thesuddenshudderasthejuttingsea-cliffcollapses,
Andthehurricanedrivesthedeadstrawintothelivingpine-tree.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Waking
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
IfeelmyfateinwhatIcannotfear.
IlearnbygoingwhereIhavetogo.
Wethinkbyfeeling.Whatistheretoknow?
Ihearmybeingdancefromeartoear.
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
Ofthosesoclosebehindme,whichareyou?
GodblesstheGround!Ishallwalksoftlythere,
AndlearnbygoingwhereIhavetogo.
LighttakestheTree;butwhocantellushow?
Thelonelywormclimbsupawindingstair;
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
GreatNaturehasanotherthingtodo
Toyouandme;sotakethelivelyair;
And,lovely,learnbygoingwheretogo.
Thisshakingkeepsmesteady.Ishouldknow.
Whatfallsawayisalways.Andisnear.
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
IlearnbygoingwhereIhavetogo.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Waking (1948)
Istrolledacross
Anopenfield;
Thesunwasout;
Heatwashappy.
Thisway!Thisway!
Thewren'sthroatshimmered,
Eithertoother,
Theblossomssang.
Thestonessang,
Thelittleonesdid,
Andflowersjumped
Likesmallgoats.
Araggedfringe
Ofdaisieswaved;
Iwasn'talone
Inagroveofapples.
Farinthewood
Anestlingsighed;
Thedewloosened
Itsmorningsmells.
Icamewheretheriver
Ranoverstones:
Myearsknew
Anearlyjoy.
Andallthewaters
Ofallthestreams
Sanginmyveins
Thatsummerday.
TheodoreRoethke
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The Waking (1953)
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
IfeelmyfateinwhatIcannotfear.
IlearnbygoingwhereIhavetogo.
Wethinkbyfeeling.Whatistheretoknow?
Ihearmybeingdancefromeartoear.
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
Ofthosesoclosebesideme,whichareyou?
GodblesstheGround!Ishallwalksoftlythere,
AndlearnbygoingwhereIhavetogo.
LighttakestheTree;butwhocantellushow?
Thelowlywormclimbsupawindingstair;
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
GreatNaturehasanotherthingtodo
Toyouandme,sotakethelivelyair,
And,lovely,learnbygoingwheretogo.
Thisshakingkeepsmesteady.Ishouldknow.
Whatfallsawayisalways.Andisnear.
Iwaketosleep,andtakemywakingslow.
IlearnbygoingwhereIhavetogo.
TheodoreRoethke
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various quotes from On Poetry and Craft: Selected Prose of Theodore Roethke
Thepoem,evenashorttimeafterbeingwritten,
seemsnomiracle;unwritten,itseems
somethingbeyondthecapacityofthegods.
*
Artisthemeanswehaveofundoingthedamageof
haste.It'swhateverythingelseisn't.
*
Youcan'tmakepoetrysimplybyavoidingclich&eacute;s.
*
There'sapointwhereplainnessisnolongeravirtue,
whenitbecomesexcessivelybald,wrenched.
*
Youmustbelieve:apoemisaholything--agoodpoem,
thatis.
TheodoreRoethke