I’m the youngest son of many sons of the king. I took my time coming into the world and that’s how it goes with me. I take my time with everything!

The Slow Prince, The Mastermaid, Blue Fairy Book. Painting by Antonio Mancini.

* * *

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

 

Theodore Roethke in Mystical Verse, edited by Alan Jacobs