Sunday, June 25, 2006

Peace of Wild Things

In times of mind numbing busyness, it is oh so wise to stop what we are doing and step off the merry-go-round of life for awhile. I always have a poetry book or two handy to grab for just such times. When the whirling and twirling gets to be just too much and my head becomes dizzy from the spinning, I know it is time to feast on some poetry and then step into the quiet calm of the great outdoors.

I picked up a new book I got from the library the other day, Risk Everything, 110 Poems of Love and Revelation, and this poem oozed from the page and drizzled over my hot frazzled soul like a cool soothing balm. Ahhhh, Sweet!

Goodness knows we can all use a dose of cool soothing balm on hot dusty days of the soul, so let me share it with you too.

The Peace of Wild Things
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.



This is my place of still water. AC has posted a picture of me sitting among the trees at the park. This is what I am looking at as I sit there.

If you can't take your body to a quiet place by still waters, then close your eyes and go there in your mind.
…do not tax your life with forethought of grief...come into the presence of still water…rest in the grace of the world…be free.


MMMMMM, doesn't that feel good?

Talk to you all later.

9 comments:

Lynn said...

I'll have to check that book out. I could have used a few extra poems of serenity while fixing my latest computer virus.

The spot along the water looks gorgeous.

Margie said...

Thanks for sharing that poem.
And the pictures... gorgeous!!!

Granny said...

Very nice. If that's your Mississippi, it's much more attractive than ours (or at least the parts of ours I've seen).

Dale said...

Very soothing, indeed. Thanks, Cuppa. I wish you Peace, today and always.

Heather Plett said...

MMmmmmmm.... lovely

methatiam said...

Not a lot of waters here, still or otherwise. In a couple of weeks, the monsoons and resultant flooding should start, so maybe then?

Boy, am I living in the wrong place.

karla said...

How suiting that I come here to read this. Just this weekend past we packed a picnic to spend a lazy saturday afternoon by a stream in the conservation area up the road from our place. As luck would have it, we were totally alone with the sounds of nature, trickling water and the yumminess of our homemade pizza.

Cuppa said...

Lynn-glad the virus is all cleared up now.
Yes, this spot by the water is my favorite place to sit and soak in the peace and quiet.

Samuru - You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed it and them.

Granny - We do love our "Unmighty Mississippi" as AC calls it. I would like to see the "Mighty" one someday though.

Dale - Thanks. Wishing you the same.

Me - Maybe you get one of those little table-top fountains that you plug in. They are about the size of a large dinner plate and only need about a cup full of water to operate. The water is pumped up and trickles over rocks arranged in the dish. The sound is delightful and it gives you the sense of sitting beside a babbling brooke.

Well, you have to use your imagination but in the middle of a heat wave, anything is worth a try right?

Keep cool dear friend. Hugs to Chelsea too.

Karla - sounds delightful.

Jeanette said...

Hi Cuppa
Sorry been a bit slow visiting you .my computers been under repair ( new power board )
Love the poem and photos .i shall return to read more of your blogs .... Cheers Jan