The poet Wendell Berry knows how to write beautifully about an issue that torments my mind and perhaps the minds of others (although I haven't met too many who admit to it). Hell, in my case it doesn't just torment my mind, it is my mind most days. At first it was tough for me to acknowledge that this mighty thorn in my side had a name which Barry so eloquently explores in his poem The Peace of Wild Things. Three little words carry the power here; "forethought of grief".
Let's see what you think.
The Peace of Wild Things
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 no 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.
In this eleven line poem, there is such depth and insight into the terrors of the mind but better yet, a way out. It's called Trust. It is the trust in those day-blind stars who don't show themselves again until the dark of night. Yet, they are always there.
I've been pondering this heavy topic of "forethought of grief" a lot, more than is healthy to be sure. An active mind that looks ahead to imagine all forms of tragedy, sadness, loss, and discomfort lives in a world where trust is a minor player, a weakling.
What peace (of mind) do we forfeit as we move further and further away from "wild things"? Does sitting in their presence help to restore our trust and daily freedom from forethought of grief? Everyone is wired differently. Many who read this will likely wonder what in the world this is all about. But some out there will lock on and say, "that's me" or "that's sort of me". It isn't a fun world to live in, is it?
But, I also acknowledge it is a choice.
Some say, the choices we make have some positive feedback loop, a payoff, or we wouldn't persist in the rut of dysfunctional thinking.
Damn, but I'd like to know what that payoff is.
At any rate, enjoy the poem. It's one of my favorites.
The poem is beautiful. I like the idea of daylight stars - always there but not always seen. When we spend time in nature we are brought to the present moment. I feel that when I take off walking down my road and focus on the sights and sounds. Staying present is hardest to do, yet the most helpful thing we can do, when life feels out of control. I wish you moments of presence in the days to come.
ReplyDeleteThat's me...although I didn't think of it until I read the poem. I get so involved in my life--my stuff--that I stop seeing what's in front of me. And then I forget who I am...or what I want.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem...thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteWild creatures live in the present...that's the ticket.
The future is unknown and unknowable.
First time here. Ifollowed you over from your comment at midlifebloggers.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem and I also connect with the "forethought of grief" phrase." As a cancer survivor, it is something I fight hard against, as I believe it isn't healthy. It is also discussed at length inthe book A New Earth.
I find long walks and getting in the ocean help to keep me in the present moment.