When despair grows in me
and I wake in the middle of 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 for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
~ Wendell Berry ~
This poem has long been a favorite but it was only today I realized it is Wendell Berry’s redux of The 23 Psalm. Right?
One more wild thing…
Perhaps a Wood Duck
I am enjoying all whole purple family in your posts.
I agree with the echo of Psalm 23 in Berry’s verse.
‘Tis a situation to be sought – “to rest in the grace of the world.”
Light Words 
I am enjoying all whole purple family in your posts.
I agree with the echo of Psalm 23 in Berry’s verse.
‘Tis a situation to be sought – “to rest in the grace of the world.”
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Lovely words. I’m lost in the news of the death of Prince,, farewell Purple,Rain. may he rest in grace.
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That is a beautiful poem. I hadn’t heard it before. I like the wood duck, he’s so colorful! 🙂
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Happy to introduce you to the poem.
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Lovely photos and it is so sad that yesterday/today is purple as Prince has just died.
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It is sad so young and creative.
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Lovely addition to Nurturing Thursday! Thank you for sharing!
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Happy to add to the pot of nurturing soup.
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A lovely tribute to Prince, I’m sad too…
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So many lessons to be learned just now.
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