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Video: Wendell Berry reads his poem “The Peace of Wild Things”

In this animation by Charlotte Ager and Katy Wang, the poet and novelist Wendell Berry narrates his poem The Peace of Wild Things, a Walden-esque ode to the wisdom, calming influence, and restorative qualities of the natural world. The written piece was first published in Openings: Poems (1968): 

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.

Running time: 2 minutes

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6 comments on “Video: Wendell Berry reads his poem “The Peace of Wild Things”

  1. Lex Runciman
    March 25, 2024
    Lex Runciman's avatar

    Good to hear.

    Like

  2. Allison Fine
    March 23, 2024
    Allison Fine's avatar

    Beloved, wonderful man and poet. So perfect me today and all days.

    Like

  3. Barbara Huntington
    March 23, 2024
    Barbara Huntington's avatar

    Woke up in despair. Decided to peak at VP before meditation. Ahhhhhhh

    Like

  4. Sean Sexton
    March 23, 2024
    Sean Sexton's avatar

    Oh how I relish this today Michael! So perfect a thing for my wakening.

    I hope you have a superb Saturday!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Laure-Anne
      March 23, 2024
      Laure-Anne's avatar

      I was going to say what Sean says! Superb weekend to you, Mike, and thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Vox Populi
        March 23, 2024
        Vox Populi's avatar

        Thank you, Laure-Anne and Sean, both of you such gifted poets!

        >

        Like

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