In less than one month, I will depart to Mongolia and begin my 27 months of service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer. I cannot speak to my expectations of adventure, save to say that I know the experience will be my biggest yet, and the excitement that is snowballing as the days pass is the most electric I’ve ever known. I like to think of how the 17-year old version of myself would have viewed this blog as a hopelessly fictional daydream. I hope that wherever life takes me next will seem as surprising to the 21-year old sitting here today.
The Waking
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.
-Theodore Roethke
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