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Rest


The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry

 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

I am part of a Sabbath group which is really four of us that get together once a month to reflect on something.  Last month it was a work by Maya Angelou.  We've discussed books, poems, and other verses.  It's a good touchstone.  Tomorrow is our next meeting day, and we are discussing rest.  Maybe it's because of my personality, but I find rest to be more than meditation or taking a nap.  For me rest is a bit like the verb #1 definition, ceasing work in order to relax, refresh...  This summer I've spent a lot of time on my bike, and I think of it as a form of rest.  My mind clears, and I'm able to enjoy my surroundings.  It's my way of not doing anything I'm supposed to do and relaxing.   I think I feel rest is similar to being at peace.  What are your ideas of rest?


Comments

LH said…
Not clear on my ideas about rest right now, but I do know that I love that poem.

And I do want you to know I'll think about it more as the day goes on.
12:57 PM
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