by the TeachThought staff
In a world filled with noise, division, and endless demands on our attention, Wendell Berry’s poem The peace of wild things offers a rare invitation: to retreat and find solace in nature.
The Peace of Wild Things, if read slowly enough, can remind us of the deep, quiet haven that exists in the natural world, beyond the reach of our daily stresses and anxieties. When human life feels overwhelming, he suggests that peace can be found not in more thinking or doing, but in returning to the simplicity and tranquility of the natural world around us.
Berry writes not simply of disconnection, but rather of a reminder of the serenity of wild places—the wildness of creation itself—as a response to a modern world that is utterly disinterested in, or at least oblivious to, not only nature, but its healing significance.
In this way, Berry explores how to leave anxiety behind and immerse yourself in the “rest of wild things” where birds rest in the water and stars wait in the sky. It is a reminder that nature, in its steadfastness, offers a healing peace free from human striving, division or pressure.
If you’re looking to reconnect with something gentle and grounding, The peace of wild things prompts you to log out your mind and back to the heart of the world where peace patiently awaits us all.
You can read the full text at The peace of wild things.
The video for “Peace Of Wild Things” is below.
The “Peace Of Wild Things” video.
