The first time I came across Wendell Berry was in the library of a large, dilapidated Jacobean mansion in Gloucestershire, home to a family and their many friends, people passing through, working on the farm, a small and messy operation with sheep and a couple of meadows, a garden, magic mushrooms in the fields. I was 21 years old, my English was rudimentary, I tried to act cool and rebellious, I was truly lost but saved by the generous hospitality and good humour that held this place together so well, also R, who brought me there.
The mansion is gone, the people moved on. Wendell Berry has been in my life ever since. He died two days ago.
It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impending stream is the one that sings.
He had such a beautiful way of expressing wisdom, didn't he?
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like an amazing man. I shall have to look up some of his books and have a read.
ReplyDeleteYes to having found him early in your life, and shared his thoughts for a richer life. I may have read many of his quotes, but didn't have a close relationship with him, like other authors. Just deep admiration.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever came across Wendell Berry. I've seen two quotes, this and another one so maybe I should look him up.
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ReplyDeleteImpeded stream (-:
Was not familiar with that quote of his until today. Thank you!
Oh, he was sublime.
ReplyDeleteYour post title is perhaps my favorite quote of all time. I did not know he had died. His poetry saved me.
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