I have parent-teacher interviews for the next two evenings. It limits the time available for posting my own words. I began thumbing through one of my many poetry anthologies and came across this wonderful Wendell Berry poem that echoed yesterday’s post, Children in ways. Two of his poems at the link are about mad farmers. Wendell Berry is a compassionate, opinionated person. When I grow up, I want to be similar.
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 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.
About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.
Teacher as Transformer 
Ivon, may you never grow up, but always keep the wonder about you as you seek to live each moment!
I am hoping on all counts. Thank you Melody.
a beautiful poem
I enjoy Wendell Berry’s work. He is so honest in his writing.
Wonderful poem Ivon. I seem to remember a part of this poem being recited in a scene from the movie GI Jane. Maybe I’m wrong, but the words remind me of that. It really is a beautiful poem, especially the words:
“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.”
Thanks Ivon.
I have not seen that movie. That is quite interesting that this poem with its message would be part of that movie. It piques my interest.
You know, I don’t think I’ve entirely grown up. And that’s just fine with me.
I liked this poem, hadn’t read it before.
I have not either. I a glad this was a poem you enjoyed.
Very Nice exemplary poem.
Happy to know that you want to be a compassionate, opinionated person.
Really appreciable.
I think it is a worthy and noble cause.
Powerful poem! I feel drawn to the still water as well where there’s is no forethought of grief. Simply a very beautiful quest.
Wendell Berry has a way of doing that to me as well. Him and Mary Oliver are my favourite poets out of a long list of those I enjoy.
Ahhhh … Wendell Berry. Just Love his work.
A wise message beautifully stated.
Thank you, Ivon, for sharing it.
Russ
Wendell Berry is able to provide wisdom in many ways in his poetry.
I just did a post on consumerism with a quote and a partial poem by Wendell Berry and now I’m browsing the blogosphere seeing what others are writing about (and by) him. I appreciate this post. I’m glad I dropped by.
Tony, thank you for stopping. I took a few minutes, found your blog, and left a comment along with choosing to follow your blog.
Thanks for dropping by and following my blog. I just decided to follow yours as well. I look forward to reading more of your work.