Saturday, April 23, 2011

The Power of Words

I am a great believer in the power of the unexpected as you may have guessed from my posts.   For as along as I can remember I have kept journals full of quotations, photos, letters, passages from books....anything that has moved me in some way.   I mentioned a little while ago that I was having trouble sleeping and that I was trying meditation using CDs that my DH had purchased for me.   One of them ended with the most beautiful poem by Wendell Berry.

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 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 


Coincidentally, I was to make skinny pages for an exchange with the theme  "The Essence of Dreams" so I used this gorgeous poem as my inspiration.

8 comments:

Summer Gypsy said...

Hi Heather!! I was so excited to see your comment this morning. How is your Spring? Hopefully, filled with awesome moments. I love the words on this post. I'm adding them to my quote journal that I read in the "still of the night." Happy Easter!
:)Marilyn

Folk Heart said...

Well, what a wonderful collaboration that turned out to be. The poem is so touching and moving, and I will remember it always. Your interpretation of the two parts of it are superb. I do SO love your artwork, and these two pieces just make me sigh. Thank you!

Terri said...

Oh Heather! Such a beautiful poem and such powerful imagery in your skinny pages! I love your heartful crafting!
Hugs and Happy Easter
Terri

Unknown said...

Beautiful images, and what an amazing poem. It is absolutely transcendent.

Bluebirds and Roses said...

Thank you for sharing ~ Happy Easter~

Heavens2Betsy said...

These are beautiful pieces Heather and the accompanying poem is so touching. Thank you for your recent visit. Penny x

Debra LeeBerry said...

I enjoy Wendall Berry and have read that poem before. I love your work you've done, your art is so beautiful with his poem. Very beautiful!

Blessings!
DeeJae (Deb)
altered heART works

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