Oh, Wendell

A Homecoming

 One faith is bondage. Two
are free. In the trust
of old love, cultivation shows
a dark graceful wilderness
at its heart. Wild
is that wilderness, we roam
the distances of our faith,
safe beyond the bounds
of what we know. O love,
open. Show me
my country. Take me home.

 

The Mad Farmer’s Love Song

O when the world’s at peace
and every man is free
then will I go down unto my love.

O and I may go down
several times before that.

- Wendell Berry, from Collected Poems 1957-1982