Analyzing "The Waking" by Theodore Roethke.

"The Waking" by Theodore Roethke I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. A I feel my fate in what I cannot fear. B I learn by going where I have to go. A We think by feeling. What is there to know? A I hear my being dance from ear to ear. B I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. A Of those so close beside me, which are you? A …

…first in a very dreamlike, calm, sort of a lullaby type feeling. Going on to being a little dark in referring to death, but it is very light and doesn't give you unpleasant images. At the end of the poem, you feel a peace and calmness again, where you feel the writer has had a resolution and feels at ease with himself and his fate. There is calm and peaceful imagery through the poem overall.