Words for the Wind: Poems of Theodore Roethke

“I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.”

Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Theodore Roethke (1908–1963) reads aloud 30 of his best-loved poems in this recording made a year before his death. Selected from his 1958 National Book Award–winning collection, the poems deal with childhood, love, and faith. Roethke demonstrates at times his playfulness and at others his eloquence as he reads. Liner notes include the text of the poems.

Track Listing

101	For Children: A Rouse for Stevens / Song for the Squeeze Box	Theodore Roethke	02:57
102	For Children: Reply to a Lady Editor / Dinky / The Sloth / The Lady and the Bear	Theodore Roethke	04:24
103	Love Poems: The Dream / All the Earth, All the Air / Words for the Wind	Theodore Roethke	07:55
104	Love Poems: I Knew a Woman / The Voice / She / The Other	Theodore Roethke	05:00
105	Love Poems: The Pure Fury / The Renewal / The Sensualists	Theodore Roethke	04:29
106	Love Poems: Love's Progress / The Surly One / The Swan / Memory	Theodore Roethke	03:46
201	Praise to the End: I Need, I Need / Bring the Day!	Theodore Roethke	04:21
202	Praise to the End: Give Way, Ye Gates	Theodore Roethke	02:22
203	Praise to the End: The Lost Son	Theodore Roethke	07:15
204	Praise to the End: The Long Alley	Theodore Roethke	04:16
205	Shorter Poems: Elegy for Jane / My Papa's Waltz	Theodore Roethke	02:27
206	Shorter Poems: Four for Sir John Davies	Theodore Roethke	05:57
207	Shorter Poems: The Waking	Theodore Roethke	01:38