Greetings fellow Toads. It has been too long. I am as you may now know spending most of my time in a woodland cabin, away from the maelstrom that is our world today, seeking a little corner of peace for the moment. My life has turned upside down recently and this wee haven is allowing me time and space to re-group.
So what better subject to pen a poem on. Peace. How and where do you find it? What does it look and feel like? Can we have peace when others do not?
I have intermittent access to internet so apologies If I am slow to read and comment.
Here is a favourite of mine by Wendell Berry
When despair 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 for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
As always once you have written your poem link up to Mr Linky and visit and read/comment on the other Toads work.
I wish you peace in your endeavours.
"I have lost my smile
but don't worry.
The dandelion has it"
Thich Nhat Hanh. Peace is every step. The path of mindfulness in everyday life.
I am so pleased to see the title of this prompt, a quote that has meant a great deal to me for decades. So sorry your life is going through turmoil, and glad you are in a cabin in the woods. May the peace of the forest wrap around you like a cloak, my friend. All will be illuminated in good time. I hope you have your drums with you! Smiles.
ReplyDeletep.s. I adore the Wendell Berry poem!
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, a cabin in the woods sounds like ideal peace. I am in the middle of a book of poems by Wendell Berry. He makes me feel happy. I wish the peace you need.
ReplyDeleteHello Paul, I leave you with a poem of colors.
ReplyDeleteI come into the peace of wild things...
ReplyDeleteThat whole line is such an inspiration. Thank you for hosting, Paul.
These moments are so fleeting, for me. Thank you so much for this, Paul.
ReplyDeleteThis is Margaret. On phone app - can’t figure out how to link my post and how to comment under my own name. I can’t get the linked poems either.
ReplyDeleteCan someone please link my “Atlantic Breeze” and I’ll visit and comment when I return next week from vacation?
Thanks.
I figured it out :)
DeleteTerrific post, thanks. I don't know if I will have time to work on it, but they are lovely selections and very inspiring. k.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely poems all. I have found a wee window to respond. In Gratitude. Paul x
ReplyDeleteGreat and thoughtful prompt...
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun write. I apologize to those who were led to take me literally re my backyard peaceful reprise. We do have a nice backyard with flowers, trees, a pool (this us Texas), and a nice porch. But no shed.
ReplyDeleteThe shed in my picture belonged to our elderly cousin's deceased husband. He did spend a lot of time there. If you wonder, Mary is 96, lives alone, drives, and teaches a Sunday morning ladies Bible class.
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