The Peace of Wild Things – A Meditation
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
from New Collected Poems (Counterpoint, 2012)
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27 replies on “The Peace of Wild Things”
[…] The Peace of Wild Things Steve McCurry […]
Such wonderful tranquil pictures. thank you for sharing them
The words are meaningful and the imagery is spectacular, thank you!
awesomely captured beauty…well done Steve
I wish I was that girl reading a book in New Zealand, but I am in Portugal – the antipode, actually.
Thank you for making my dreams almost come true.
I adore Wendell Berry…the paring was lovely, thank you.
Thank you !
Simply outstanding photos.Thank you Steve bhai.
Silence, in his presence , offers solace!
En la búsqueda del equilibrio, te encontraras
Thanks for the breath of fresh air. I admire you in many ways.
These are such amazing pictures and so appropriately entitled. THANKS so much for posting and passing on a some meditation vibes and spreading peaceful reflective moments. These are so beautiful! I hadn’t seen those blue-footed birds before! Awesome 🙂
You are my biggest inspiration for photography. Thank you sir for your contributions to the society.
You always know what will move us to another place. We need this reminder in this time of turmoil.🙏
Thank you for capturing so much natural beauty. You have a gift!
Sir you are such an inspiration..my idol in photography..please do let us know when you are coming to Kolkata,India next.
When we are lucky enough to forge a bond with life that is not domesticated, but wild, primitive and exuberant, we feel pervaded by a deep sense of peace and ecstasy because we also bond with our deepest instinctual being, often repressed, leaving it free to get in touch with its natural dimension. The soul escapes where nobody intrudes and finds itself. Each photo is an ode to the sense of infinity that wild life has in its DNA.
Oh so beautiful, the places you have been are all my dreams.
Love this especially the words you put to the photos. Very timely and makes us stop and appreciate this beauty around us! Thank you
Thank you for a beautiful post !!! From Italy.
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Amazing photography!! … love his work!! … “I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.”
Awesome Work
One can’t find better peace than with the wild. There love is unconditional, every action is pure and natural and not artificial. Sir! The series is awe-inspiring and soulful. Each and every work in the series is masterpiece.
Vivek
Thank you for this glimpse into serenity at a time when the world is restless. I especially appreciate the photographs of animals.
Fabulous images & equally as fabulous words. The world is lucky to have you both. Thanks so much for the uplifting post, Steve.
I have always loved that selection from Wendell Berry. Stunning photos, as always, Steve! Thank you for a beautiful post.
Lovely post