Slowness: Among Trees

I'm planning a series of posts on the art and importance of slowness.  Here's a poem worthy of meditation.

The opening poem from A Timbered Choir by Wendell Berry

I go among trees and sit still.
All my stirring becomes quiet
around me like circles on water.
My tasks lie in their places
Where I left them, asleep like cattle.

Then what is afraid of me comes
And lives a while in my sight.
What it fears in me leaves me,
And the fear of me leaves it.
It sings, and I hear its song.

Then what I am afraid of comes.
I live for a while in its sight.
What I fear in it leaves it,
And the fear of it leaves me.
It sings, and I hear its song.

After days of labor,
Mute in my consternations,
I hear my song at last,
And I sing it. As we sing,
The day turns, the trees move.

Comments

[James Paul]

Nice poem. Reminded me of Psalm 131

"Lord, my heart isn't haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Israel, hope in God, from this time forth and forevermore."

[Andrew Hamilton]

Hi Steve

Have you read 'In Praise of Slow'?

Its got some useful stuff on this area. Its a bit repetitive - you get the idea in the first chapter - but still worth looking into

[Steve McCoy]

I'm assuming you mean In Praise of Slowness by Carl Honore, right? I bought it last week Hamo. It's one of the things I'm reading on the issue. Thanks bro.

[Andrew Hamilton]

ah yes... :)

[Marcguyver]

Wow, I think that's one of the 'deepest' poems I've ever read.

Maybe that's because I don't 'get out' much?

[Russell]

Great poem! Thanks for posting it. May I suggest you also take a look at the life and teachings of Eugene Peterson. He has been an advocate of taking a slower pace in pastoral ministry. I really love his emphasis on taking time to learn the narrative of people's lives. His words are refreshing in this "getting more things done" world view.

Dei Gratia