Leavings - Wendell Berry

The Shining Ones

While the land suffers, automobiles thrive,
shining as they glide by the dying towns,
the empty fields bare in winter,
the deserted farmhouses, obstacles merely
to an ideal trajectory from everywhere to anywhere.

This is a wonderful book with a common theme for Berry- the environment. His poetry is simple, yet powerful. He connects with nature and is able to convey his love for the natural world in poems full of emotion. Many of the poems in this collection call attention to the great harm we humans are inflicting on our planet. They are both sad and disturbing while calling attention to the beauty and wonder. Worth reading and re-reading.

Questionnaire
1. How much poison are you willing
to eat for the success of the free
market and global trade? Please
name your preferred poisons.