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. 

References 

The poem appears as an object in Kurt Vonnegut's novel "Slaughterhouse Five".
 
An excerpt of the poem also appears at the beginning of Dean Koontz's novel "Odd Hours". 

Kurt Elling sings the poem on his 2007 album Nightmoves.