The Peace of Wild Things
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…
…go here for the rest of the poem, and to hear Wendell Berry read it.
Nature is helping me through each day. Also friends, community, mulching leaves, and washing windows.
#haikuforhealing (along with Jone’s #haikuforresilience) feels like…not at all enough. But then I remind myself that there is so very little right now that I have the power to change, and every little bit of peace does add up.
On the subject of every little bit of peace…I am going to back away from Threads and I am going to resist joining Bluesky. I am finding that I need less social media, not more. Instagram is enough.
Karen has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at Karen Edmisten*.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Ah, this is one of my favorite/go-to poems, Mary Lee. Thank you for sharing it. Nothing feels like enough, but you’re right that every little bit of peace helps.
I did just move to Blue Sky and hope to focus on the writing community over there. In the right circles, it’s a cozy vibe there. But I also understand wanting to back away, not add on.
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I get it. Peace of wild things. I just wish Albert wasn’t quite so wild. I’ve never heard of Blue Sky. I’m sticking with IG and my blog. See you, literally, soon!
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Wendell Berry’s poem is most appropriate for these times, Mary Lee. It delivers a very clear message. I applaud your actions in nurturing peace around your life. An increasing number of people are pondering such actions around their participation on social media platforms. The relentless toxicity is increasingly offputting. Searching for alternatives that support and respect participants isn’t easy. May peace wrap around you.
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I’m glad you are getting to spend time in nature and take care of yourself various ways. xo
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Wonderful thoughts, and you are so right that every little bit of peace helps.
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“The Peace of Wild Things” is a go to for sure. I’m trying to write each day a with a glimmer. Thanks for the shout out.
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Take care, Mary Lee, and thank you for reminding me that this is still another poem for us.
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I cannot imagine a poem I needed more! Thank you for this! And yes to more time in nature.
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Mary Lee, I am starting with #haikuforhealing once again. Thank you for the invitation. It is a soothing to read what everyone in PF offers to make each day sparkle. Nature nurtures my soul and g.lad that it is comforting for you also
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”Every little bit of peace does add up.” I have appreciated and found comfort in your haikus on Instagram. Thank you for adding beauty to the world in so many ways.
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Thank you for this, Mary Lee. Yes, every little bit of peace helps. Considering Blue Sky and trying IG but I’m just not into trying to figure out something new. Want to give social media a rest.
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I also cannot bring myself to any social media beyond what I need. I don’t want connection right now. I want to go out into the woods and seek peace as well. Hugs to you. Peace to you.
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Thank you for sharing Berry’s poem — and the reminder of the importance for each of us to find peace and tranquility wherever we can. Nature is a great healer as is self introspection at this time, so your withdrawal from too much social media makes perfect sense.
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Mary Lee – Thank you for sharing Berry’s poem and your deep need for tranquility. I think we all need that. I have never been a social media person because it has always been too overwhelming for me. The trees are enough. They hold a lot of power and offer eons of peace.
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Mary Lee, this is the perfect poem for this wildly imperfect time. Thank you.
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Nice, Mary Lee. I just read Wendell Berry’s novel Hannah Coulter, and loved it. The book is a real antidote for these times. I did join Bluesky, and so far it’s good, like the old Twitter, and I’m concentrating mostly on books over there.
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