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]
dearest jillian,
words and photos curated to perfection.
l o v e .
love wendell berry.
you illustrate his work well.
but then, you illustrate your work well,
as well.
xx
YES.
Nature can cure all woes.
Resembling a beautiful and strong indian maiden, bundled up in a caribou fur hood, staring out into the tundra.
Fitting poem.
XX
sigh. just gorgeous.
the poetry and your photos wash over me like sweet birch mountain alpenglow.
bless you for this post. i needed it.
Such amazing words. How cold the world would be without poetry.
serene… spirit quenching, as always.
love
Lovely.
thanks for sharing.
Jillian, your beautiful photographs give life to Wendell Berry’s words. XX
Really lovely words. Thank you.
Utterly breathtaking photos of nature, you and stillness. Love the photo of flight!! xo
Amazingly Beautiful Words.
comforting and healing – so beautiful
thank you, Jillian
i, too, gravitate towards Mr. Berry, often…
&
you.
XO
Take what grace and comfort you need. Nature is a good model of carrying forth no matter the circumstance. Adapt, grow, heal.
Lovely photos.
Sweet alpenglow, you lift my soul!
ditto miss pencilfox – i,too, so needed this post –
mmmhhhhhmm… ah, Wendell, he is ‘berry’ good!
xx
mel
needle and nest design
Thank you for reminding me of this human, I wrote an essay about one of his books in college once… today reading that was just what I needed, as the “despair for the world grows in me” with particular fierceness lately.
Hey Jill, not sure if you have read the book “Julia of the Wolves” by Jean Craighead George? I read it when I was younger, but some how the second picture of you reminds me of this book. It is not a very heavy book by any means, but I think you would like it. It’s kind of wild and makes you want to live in the wild and have a pack of wolves to call your own.
I don’t think I have read that! I’m off to see what it’s all about. Thanks Maegan!
Thank you, that was beautiful, both words and photos. My greatest enemy is “forethought of grief.” Since having children, especially.
I needed that.
Oh you beauties…thank you all for taking a moment to leave a comment on this post — for offering solidarity and for being willing to connect.
I cherish you.
just what i needed.
thank you plume
xo