For Me: Poem of the Day "The Waking"

Yesterday, Emma and I made a poshmark (love) sale to someone whose code name is "wake to sleep." This reminded me of the Theodore Roethke poem. I never teach this because in my department, courses in English lit (and that is where I'm at) can NOT include anything outside that category. No boundary violations!* No thematic courses! So I found my book, sat down, and read the poem over and over, as I used to do all the time, and still sometimes do. And should do more.

*All cultures have boundary conventions. In Paris, Tom and I wandered through Monoprix and a grocery store looking for aspirin. Non! Only available in pharmacies--behind the counter. 

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.

   This is a villanelle. In a good one, the pattern of repeated lines always makes me teary-eyed (why, I do wonder). This is a good one. The last two lines come together with the beauty of inevitability, or perhaps, the inevitability of beauty.

Notes for Myself: What They Were Wearing in Paris summer 2018

No guarantee of complete sentences or thoughts--this is for me.

--Off shoulder dresses and tops on all ages
--Sneakers
--more yellow than usual, but not THAT much more

In my neighborhood (15eme): beautiful African fabric garb, long dresses and headpieces.

The ubiquitous Pliage bags of several years back are less in evidence. Main designer bags seen: Chanel, on tourists in the Louvre (perhaps a Paris purchase?)
Most beautiful bag: a malachite green Hermes kelly bag on a woman in headscarf and nondescript long clothing--at the Louvre.
Most chic women: Asian women with beige and black puzzle bags. The reason these looked so good--puzzle lines picked up black straight hair; beige picked up neutral architectural PLAIN clothing.
Best dressed--again in Louvre--couple with reverse tee shirts, positive and negative of same image.
Most powerful looking: a white couple in expensive attire surrounded by young black men in formal attire. Opposite the Presidential Palace. Tried to figure out  what was going on. No idea.
Runners up for most powerful: the men (all men) standing outside the Senate near the Luxembourg Gardens. The men (again, all men) standing outside the elite schools (esp Something Po) smoking.

My purchases: two identical tencel denim dresses at Monoprix, the first 25 euros and the second on further markdown our last morning at 15 euros. These loose dresses have saved me this hot summer,
--lightweight low quality viscose leggings @3 euros each. I returned to the market for a second pair. The seller--originally from Pakistan--remembered me. I practiced my French and he practiced his English. I said (in French/English) that we would perhaps see him next year.

He said, "If God gives us life."

I hope so.