Wendell Berry, an American poet, essayist, and farmer, is known for his profound and thought-provoking works that reflect his deep connection to the land and his commitment to sustainable living. His poems often explore themes of nature, community, and the importance of finding solace and meaning in the present moment. One of his most famous poems, “What We Need Is Here,” encapsulates these themes and serves as a reminder of the abundance that surrounds us if we are willing to open our eyes and hearts.
In “What We Need Is Here,” Berry invites us to shift our focus from the external world to the present moment. He urges us to recognize that everything we need is already within our reach, if only we have the wisdom to see it. This poem serves as a reminder that true fulfillment comes not from the pursuit of material possessions or external validation but from being fully present and embracing the gifts that life offers us.
Unique and Beautiful Wendell Berry Poems: 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.”
“In the dark of the moon, in flying snow, in the dead of winter,
war spreading, families dying, the world in danger,
I walk the rocky hillside, sowing clover.”
“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.”
“To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.”
“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.”
“The way of love leads all ways
to life beyond words, silent and secret.
To serve that triumph I have done all the rest.”
“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 world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles,
no matter how long,
but only by a spiritual journey,
a journey of one inch,
very arduous and humbling and joyful,
by which we arrive at
the ground at our feet,
and learn to be at home.”
“And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles,
no matter how long,
but only by a spiritual journey,
a journey of one inch,
very arduous and humbling and joyful,
by which we arrive at the ground at our feet,
and learn to be at home.”
“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 or 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.”
These beautiful and powerful poems by Wendell Berry remind us of the importance of finding contentment and peace within ourselves and our surroundings. They encourage us to appreciate the simple joys of nature, the power of silence, and the strength found in embracing the present moment. In a world filled with distractions and constant striving, Berry’s words serve as a gentle reminder to slow down, connect with the earth, and recognize that everything we truly need is already here.
