Roads End Naturalist

Exploring the natural world as we wander at the end of the road


Now, More Than Ever

·

A poem for the new year, accompanied by a short video clip of a sunrise with tundra swans at the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge last week. May we all find peace in the coming year.

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
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.

Comments

10 responses to “Now, More Than Ever”

  1. Mary Kay Coyle Avatar
    Mary Kay Coyle

    One of my most favorite poems AND my favorite swans!! What’s not to love! I feel better already!

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Thanks, let’s all keep the wild things as a focus in the coming year(s).

  2. mary sonis Avatar
    mary sonis

    Beautiful and uplifting

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Thanks, Mary. That is the place to be at sunrise!

  3. CORI ROTH Avatar
    CORI ROTH

    Thank you so much for posting this very timely poem Mike…actually one of my favorites!!!

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Mine too, Cori. Happy New Year!

  4. Kakie Avatar
    Kakie

    Very nice.

  5. Linda Dow Avatar
    Linda Dow

    Lovely.  Thank you, Mike.Happy New Year to you and yours.Linda Dow

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Thanks, Linda. Happy New Year to you as well. Jealous of your beautiful snow up there:)

Leave a reply to CORI ROTH Cancel reply

Roads End Naturalist

Exploring the natural world as we wander at the end of the road

Copyright Mike Dunn and Melissa Dowland