Welcome to Poem of the Day – The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry’s poem The Peace of Wild Things offers a quiet but profound meditation on nature, solace, and the human need for peace amidst the chaos of life. This poem speaks to a universal longing for calm in a world often filled with stress, uncertainty, and overwhelming emotions. In this article, we will explore the themes and meaning of Berry’s poem, breaking down its key elements to understand how it captures the essence of peace through a connection to nature.
The Peace of Wild Things Poem
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.
The Peace of Wild Things Explanation
Overview of the Poem
The poem is short yet powerful, composed of just three stanzas. The speaker begins by describing their troubled state of mind, filled with anxiety and sorrow. They then seek out the peace found in nature, specifically among wild things, to find comfort and escape from their worries. Through the imagery of wild creatures and the natural world, the speaker finds a moment of calm, even in the midst of life’s difficulties.
The Struggle and the Escape
The poem opens with a portrayal of the speaker’s inner turmoil. In the first stanza, the speaker expresses a sense of unease, explaining that they are “troubled” by the weight of their worries. The “wild things” that Berry refers to represent a form of wildness that is free from the constraints and struggles of human life. The natural world, in all its unspoiled glory, stands in contrast to the speaker’s chaotic thoughts.
The speaker then seeks out the peace that “wild things” offer. This search for peace is an essential theme in the poem. In times of emotional strain, the speaker finds solace by reconnecting with nature. The wild things, in their simplicity and freedom, do not carry the same burdens of human life, and their existence serves as a reminder of a quieter, more balanced way of being.
Finding Peace in Nature
The second stanza reveals the speaker’s moment of peace. The wild things, including animals in their natural habitat, are depicted as embodiments of serenity. Berry emphasizes the contrast between the restless human mind and the peaceful, contented lives of the wild creatures. The “peace” they offer is not just about physical calmness but a deep, spiritual tranquility that the speaker is able to absorb by simply observing their existence.
Berry’s use of natural imagery is significant. By turning to nature, the speaker finds a type of peace that transcends ordinary human concerns. The wild things are not concerned with the “troubles” that plague the speaker’s mind. They live in the present moment, unaffected by the past or future, which offers a valuable lesson for those seeking respite from their own mental struggles.
The Absence of Worry
The final stanza of the poem expresses a shift in the speaker’s mindset. The speaker, by connecting with nature, is able to find a peace that allows them to let go of their worries. The wild things serve as a model of living in the present and embracing the world as it is, free from excessive worry. The speaker realizes that, for a moment, they can stop worrying and simply exist in harmony with the world around them.
This final realization is essential. The speaker’s ability to let go of anxiety reflects the restorative power of nature. In this way, the poem acts as a reminder that we, too, can find peace by stepping outside of our busy lives and reconnecting with the simple, untroubled world of nature.
Themes of the Poem
The central theme of The Peace of Wild Things is the healing power of nature. Wendell Berry suggests that, in moments of distress, nature offers a place of solace. The wild things—whether they be animals, trees, or the elements of the earth—embody a form of peace that humans often forget in their quest for control and perfection.
Another key theme is the contrast between human worry and natural peace. The wild things are free from human concerns. This idea invites readers to reflect on their own lives and the ways in which they, too, can find peace by disconnecting from the stresses of modern life and immersing themselves in the natural world.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of mindfulness and living in the present. By observing the wild things, the speaker learns to release the hold that anxiety has over them. This lesson is one that is both timeless and deeply relevant in our contemporary world.
Conclusion
Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things offers a simple but profound message: peace is found not in the hustle and bustle of human life, but in the quiet presence of nature. Through the imagery of wild creatures living freely and without worry, the poem invites us to step away from our anxieties and reconnect with the natural world. In doing so, we can find a sense of peace that transcends our troubles and brings us back to a place of balance and tranquility.
Berry’s work continues to resonate because it reminds us of the power of nature to heal and restore. In times of difficulty, the poem urges us to seek out the peace of wild things and, perhaps, find a moment of serenity in an otherwise chaotic world.
