When despair for the world grows in me...

The Prompt:
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.

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.

Wendell Berry

Here is a poem to bring a little grounding into the world of abstract ideas. I'd like you to do a very specific exercise for this week's response. Take the first line of Wendell Berry's poem, then continue to write in your own words, a poem or narrative addressing the existential dilemma of despair. What nurtures you when you feel that despair for the things and ways of the world comes knocking at your door? If you have not experienced this sense of despair in your life, then write about that. So, just begin: "When despair for the world grows in me", then continue in your own words.

My response:
When despair for the world grows in me
And I grow frustrated with my daily life…and overwhelmed by my work
Worried for my worthiness and the difference I can make,
I sometimes think I should take advantage of my freedoms and just walk away.
But, I normally just curl up and sleep my way to sanity
Or power through to seek solace in my friendships and family.
Peace finds me through water and its dancing song in lakes, rivers and streams,
In the beauty of melodious music,
And the feeling of wind in my hair and sun on my face.
My life comes to me as it is meant to.

As a note, while singing with the Indianapolis Women’s Chorus we sang a beautifully arranged version of this poem from Wendell Berry. My favorite line is “I come into the peace of wild things”…what beautiful resolution. Here’s a link to a chorus performing the piece: http://www.sbmp.com/SBMP-MP3/Misc/SBMP%20561.mp3. Enjoy!