Sunday, October 7, 2012

A palliative for the Sunday morning newspapers.



A five o'clock start to the day. Off to London on the first flight with ' the font ' . The village and its 65 remaining inhabitants sound asleep as we leave. Back , post dentist, on Tuesday.

This Wendell Berry poem has a somber beginning but soon picks up pace . It's written with a vivid ease. The line ... " And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light "... serenely beautiful.  A perfect, uplifting foil for the Sunday morning papers.

The Peace of Wild Things

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 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.

Wendell Berry.

22 comments:

  1. A lovely poem. Note to self- find more Wendell Barry poetry.

    Thanks for posting it, Wish I were at Luby when I see your sunshine.

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  2. I enjoy Wendell Berry’s fiction, but haven't read his poetry--What a serene poem. Just what my soul needs at 6 AM on a Sunday.



    All my best to you and 'the font'on your trip--I do hope the dental treatment goes well!

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  3. Brings to mind the little walks you would
    take with Wilf down to your nearby stream,
    which seemed to replenish you both.

    Hope 'the font' does well at the dentist.

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  4. "For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free."
    Like Sheila above, the words also reminded me of my friend Wilf, but as soon as I saw the photos above where many walks were enjoyed, Wilf immediately sprang to mind.
    Take care in London you two, see you soon.

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  5. That's beautiful. I must find a place where wild things go next time the noises of the night wake me and I can't find sleep after that.

    Have a grand time in that London, dentist and all.

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  6. Serene place where your home is... Beautiful poem. Enjoy London - the Southern Italy Crew

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  7. this is a gift. as sure as any tied up in a package.
    thank you. i love wendell barry and had forgotten him.
    god speed on your trip to london.
    the first picture fair takes my breath away. to live where it's so incredibly beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. even forgot how to spell his name apparently! lol. berry.
      you have put me in the mood to read his work. though i don't own any of his books.
      a good afternoon to visit the library. thanks again.

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  8. I, too thought of your walks with Wilf, and mine with my two. Our dogs surely provide a link to that peace. This week I've been realizing how the bloggers have provided me with that link as well, and view into other places - Bertie, KB, et.al., Sophie - and of course Wilf.

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  9. Your village is beautiful and so is the poem; what a rest for busy souls. Thank you - hope the dentist goes well (and that reminds me...)

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  10. i walk most days with my 'scottie' down by the river..see the drakes and ducks...the herons and swans..i often think of dear wilfee plodding through your quiet french lanes..that poem is beautiful and melancholy just right for a misty autumn morning...x

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  11. Thanks for sharing the beautiful poem, I'll be looking for more and adding this to my blog someday. Safe and enjoyable journey Angus,and wishing painfree healing for the Font.

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  12. A wonderful palliatve. I hope the Font has a similar place in mind, to escape to, when she is in the dentist's chair.

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  13. Thank you for this beautiful poem. I have bookmarked it. Enjoy your trip to England

    Helen

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  14. What a serene poem! I love the imagery!

    Good luck to 'the Font' on the root canal, too!

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  15. Hope the font's root canal is uncomplicated and pain free. Resting in grace in the endodontist's chair is quite a feat but if anyone can do it it will be the font.
    Maybe something amusing and thus distracting might be in order when you are in London. Have the best time you both can.

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  16. Great poem - I didn't know it. Stunning weather over there!

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  17. Thank you Angus. It's Monday morning, but what a balm both those pictures and poem are. They make me even more impatient for my few days trip to Cornwall starting later this week.
    I do hope the Font isn't in too much discomfort.
    Safe journey
    Teena & Merlin xx

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  18. I needed that.
    thanks!
    Wishing the Font all the best with the dentist.
    xo,
    p

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  19. Lovely, consoling poem, thanks.
    "....the peace of wild things
    who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief."
    Just what I need to feel right now, as I struggle to accept the sad decline of a beloved father.
    Gail.



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