The Waking

Theodore Roethke (1908-1963)

"The Waking" es un poema escrito por Theodore Roethke en 1953 en la forma de un villanelle (un poema lírico de arte menor compuesto de 19 líneas, formando 5 tercetas sucesivas rimadas ABA y una cuarteta de cierre.

Es un poema autorreflexivo que describe el despertar del sueño. Se comenta lo incognoscible con un tono contemplativo. También se ha interpretado como la comparación de la vida con la vigilia y la muerte con el sueño. 

Premio Pulitzer de Poesía.

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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.

The Waking