Tags
IX, Poem, Poet, poetry, Wendell Berry
I go by a field where once
I cultivated a few poor crops.
It is now covered with young trees,
for the forest that belongs here
has come back and reclaimed its own.
And I think of all the effort
I have wasted and all the time,
and of how much joy I took
in that failed work and how much
it taught me. For in so failing
I learned something of my place,
something of myself, and now
I welcome back the trees.
__________
“IX” by Wendell Berry.
The picture: taken a few months ago in New Ulm, Texas.
mlandersauthor said:
We both posted a Wendell Berry poem post today… Creepy.
http://mlanders.com/2014/03/02/wendell-berrys-greatest-poem/
jrbenjamin said:
I’ve posted that one before. Such a great work.
mlandersauthor said:
Have you read his fiction and essays as well?
cara353 said:
What a lovely poem – it speaks to me of humility and how it helps us find our place in this world. Thanks for posting this!
navigator1965 said:
A lovely poem, and far more profound than might at first meet the eye.
Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Profound in its simplicity. We fool ourselves when we think we’re in control.
Mike said:
Acceptance is a trait to be greatly desired. Well done.
rhchatlien said:
What a wonderful poem. The previous commenter used the word “acceptance.” Perfect.
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