Fragments of Poetry 14

"When I rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird.

When I fall
let me fall without regret
like a leaf."

Excerpt from: "Prayers and Sayings of a Mad Farmer" 
- New Collected Poems by Wendell Berry  (Wendell Berry) p. 149  © 2012



You may also enjoy other "Fragments of Poetry" by:

William Stafford - December 16, 2012, and Mary Oliver - August 18, 2012



Photo Locations:

1. Wood Thrush - Home Woods

2. Sugar Maple leaf - Fallasburg Park  (Fallasburg) Page Creek , Kent County, Michigan

3. Silver Maple leaf - Grand River, (Grand) Kent County, Michigan (Michigan) 

Fragments of Poetry 11

"The Wild Rose"  by Wendell Berry

Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart,

suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose blooming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,

and once more I am blessed, choosing
again what I chose before.

This post is dedicated to my loving wife, Mary.

The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry  ©  1998


Photo Location:

Kent County,  Michigan

Wild Rose/Swamp Rose - Rosa palustris

Fragments of Poetry 10

"To the abandoned fields
The trees returned and grew.
They stand and grow. Time comes
To them, time goes, the trees
Stand; the only place
They go is where they are.
These wholly patient ones
Who only stand and wait
For time to come to them,
Who do not go to time,
Stand in eternity.
They stand where they belong.
They do no wrong, and they
Are beautiful. What more
Could we have thought to ask?
Here God and man have rest."  *

* from poem: "Sabbaths 2000 - IX " from: Given - Poems by Wendell Berry  © 2005


Photo Location: Planada, California