The Peace of Wild Things

Poetry has the unique ability to encapsulate emotions and experiences in a way that resonates deeply with our souls. Mindfulness, the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment, is a theme beautifully explored in various poems. 

In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and tranquility can often feel challenging. Wendell Berry's poem, “The Peace of Wild Things,” offers a beautiful reminder of the healing power of nature and the importance of mindfulness. In this poem, Berry invites us to step away from the chaos of daily life and reconnect with the simplicity and serenity that the natural world provides.

"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."

-Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things And Other Poems

As you read this poem, allow yourself to reflect on your own experiences in the wild. Take a moment to breathe deeply, observe your surroundings, and appreciate the beauty that exists beyond the noise of everyday life. In doing so, you may discover the profound peace that Berry so eloquently describes—one that can be found in the simplicity of the wild.