I had occasion to read this poem out at a ceremony the other day. It's always spoken to me and I thought it might speak to you too.
by Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
XXX
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful; I haven't seen this one before. It is definitely one that will resonate with many people at this time. A reminder that we all need to count our blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this quote. I don't believe I had ever read anything by this author, but now that will change. Even though he does not believe in technology, if it weren't for technology I might never have read this!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found your blog. This poem hits the heart. Thank you.
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