The Waking
Author unknown
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, for you and me: take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.This shaking keeps me steady. I know that what falls away is always near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.
Summary of The Waking
“The Waking” is a deceptively simple poem that explores profound themes of acceptance, fate, and the cyclical nature of existence. While its authorship has been debated, the poem resonates with readers due to its evocative imagery and philosophical depth. At its heart, the poem invites us to embrace the paradoxes of life—to wake to sleep—and to find meaning not through intellectual understanding but through feeling and experiencing the world around us. The repeated refrain, “I learn by going where I have to go,” underscores the idea that life is a journey of continuous learning, even—or especially—when the path is unclear. The poem suggests that true wisdom lies in surrendering to the flow of life and accepting what is beyond our control.
Analysis of The Waking
Central Idea and Themes
The core of “The Waking” revolves around the acceptance of life’s inherent contradictions and the importance of experiential learning. The speaker doesn’t seek to know, but to feel, asserting, “We think by feeling. What is there to know?” This suggests that true understanding comes not from rational thought, but from immersing oneself in the world and allowing oneself to be moved by it. The cyclical nature of existence is a dominant theme, reinforced by the recurring refrain and imagery of nature, such as the growth of trees and the movement of worms. The poem also touches upon themes of fate and acceptance; the speaker acknowledges a fate that cannot be feared, indicating a willingness to embrace whatever life brings.
Literary Devices: Building Meaning Through Language
- Assonance and Consonance: Musicality and Emphasis: The poet skillfully employs sound devices to create a lyrical quality and emphasize certain words and phrases. Notice the repetition of the short “e” sound in “I feel my fate,” creating a sense of intimacy and emotional resonance. Similarly, the repetition of the “l” sound in “lovely, learn” adds a gentle, flowing cadence to the line. These subtle sound patterns enhance the poem’s overall musicality and draw attention to key ideas.
- Imagery: Painting Pictures with Words: The poem is rich in vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. Lines like “Light takes the tree” and “The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair” create compelling visual images. The phrase “This shaking keeps me steady” evokes a tactile sensation, grounding the abstract idea of acceptance in a physical experience. These images are not merely decorative; they contribute to the poem’s thematic depth.
- Paradox: Embracing Contradiction: The opening line, “I wake to sleep,” is a prime example of paradox. It presents a seemingly contradictory statement—waking and sleeping are typically seen as opposites—yet it encapsulates the poem’s central idea of embracing life’s contradictions. This paradox suggests that life is a continuous cycle of awareness and unconsciousness, of activity and rest.
- Symbolism: Layers of Meaning: Several elements in the poem function as symbols. Sleep and waking can be interpreted as metaphors for life and death, while the tree represents nature and the cyclical rhythms of existence. The lowly worm, often associated with decay, climbing a winding stair can symbolize perseverance and the journey of life.
- Enjambment: Creating Flow and Momentum: The poet frequently uses enjambment—the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next without punctuation—to create a sense of flow and momentum. For example, “Great nature has another thing to do, for you and me: take the lively air” encourages the reader to move seamlessly through the lines, mirroring the continuous flow of life.
Poetic Devices: Form and Structure
- Repetitive Structure: A Cyclical Effect: “The Waking” features repeated refrains that create a sense of continuity and cyclical resonance. The refrain “I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow” and the line “I learn by going where I have to go” recur throughout the poem, reinforcing its themes of acceptance and continuous learning.
- Rhyme Scheme: Minimal or Unstructured: The poem largely avoids a strict rhyme scheme, emphasizing its free‑verse nature. The focus is on the rhythmic placement of the refrains rather than on formal rhyme patterns.
- Stanza Structure: Tercets that Echo: The poem is composed of six tercets. Each stanza echoes the refrain, thereby reinforcing the poem’s cyclical theme.
- Diction and Tone: Intimacy and Contemplation: The poet’s diction is simple and evocative. He avoids overly ornate language, creating a tone that is intimate and contemplative. The poem feels like a personal reflection, inviting the reader to engage with its themes on a deeply emotional level.
Key Quotes and Their Significance
Several lines from “The Waking” are particularly significant for understanding the poem’s central ideas:
“I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.” This paradoxical opening line encapsulates the poem’s central theme of embracing contradictions and finding peace in the cyclical nature of existence.
“We think by feeling. What is there to know?” This line highlights the poem’s emphasis on experiential learning and the importance of allowing oneself to be moved by the world.
“I learn by going where I have to go.” This recurring refrain underscores the idea that life is a journey of continuous learning, even—or especially—when the path is unclear. It suggests that acceptance and surrender are essential for finding meaning and purpose.
“The Waking” is a deceptively simple poem that offers a profound meditation on life, death, and the importance of embracing the present moment. Its masterful use of language and structure invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of existence and find peace in the cyclical rhythms of the natural world. This poem’s lasting appeal lies in its ability to speak to the universal human experience of searching for meaning and purpose in a world that is both beautiful and unpredictable.