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Nez Perce County, Idaho
I am renewed by death, thought of my death,
The dry scent of a dying garden in September,
The wind fanning the ash of a low fire.
What I love is near at hand,
Always, in earth and air.
–Theodore Roethke, “The Far Field” (excerpt)
read the complete poem here.
Interesting choice of poet. I grew up right around the corner from Theodore Roethke’s house in Saginaw, Michigan. Though long dead, he was a local icon.
I know I’m like a broken record, but this poem reminds me a lot of “The Fountain.” I’m telling you, it’s a good movie…maybe you should check it out?
Roethke also taught at the UW for a while, so he’s “local” to me too. I love his longer work almost as much as Eliot’s, but then I’m a sucker for passages of doggerel.