What We Need Is Here
October 7th, 2016
What We Need Is Here
Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.
~ Wendell Berry
3 Responses to “What We Need Is Here”
Philip, just found your blog. Been loving the poems you’ve been posting. A restorative balm and reminder of deep knowings (I think you say kennings, across the Pond) and true essentials.
Wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing!
I am an immense fan and follower of Wendell Berry but somehow this poem has escaped my viewing, or more rightly, my mind did not grasp it when it came my way before. How grand to discover it here, now, and with such a meaningful image of geese in flight. I am most fortunate in that a small pond exists behind my home that is frequented with geese and quite often I find myself just a few feet below them when they fly over head in a noisy chevron formation, headed to only a place, and for a reason, known only to them. I will now recite this poem when blessed with such events in the future. It is true, all I need is here. Thanks to Wendell Berry and thanks to you.
Comments are closed.