Inspired by an excerpt from a poem by Wendell Berry “The Wild Geese”, this piece came about as an assignment for a composition class. My selection of this particular poem was due to a near spiritual experience. While standing in my garden, early one morning, I heard or actually felt, a whooshing, pulsing, vibration right about my head. Looking up, two dozen geese were flying overhead, very low to the ground….but in complete silence! Only the perfectly synchronized motion of their wings, like a soft, gentle, rhythmic drumbeat, floated down to me. I remained perfectly still, feeling their silent blessing wash over me.
Below is the poem excerpt:
Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.
-Wendell Berry