Me, Talking with Wendell Berry

"Mr. Berry, I meant to write you sooner, but I fell very ill again..."

“Outdoors we are confronted everywhere with wonders; we see that the miraculous is not extraordinary, but the common mode of existence. It is our daily bread.”

WENDELL BERRY

Mr. Berry,

I meant to write you sooner, but I fell very ill again. I learned from a dear friend of mine that your readers can write to you and that you may write back. I was shocked with delight when I heard this.

So, here I am, to say to you that your writing has changed many lives the world over—and it has also changed mine. It has held me this past year in my sickbed, in my hospital bed, and through surgeries, fear, and lament.

You have reminded me, again and again, of my wild heart and the explosive beauty in the woods and mountains that are still waiting for my return. You have shown me, again and again, that wonder and love drown out suffering and make living worth the holy fight. Thank you so very dearly and tenderly for your candor, faith, and advocacy of all that is good in the peace of wild things—and all that is still good in the world.

I am about to turn 42 this month, and one thing that keeps me going is the fact that I will have your poetry and prose for the rest of my life. I pray it is a long one, and that in some small way, I might help spread your message with my life. You have inspired my own poetry and doggedness to be a decent human who loves God, nature, and the goodwill for my neighbor above all else.

Godspeed to you, dear saint. May you still write many beautiful lines. We are waiting to read them.

Blessings and light,

Kimberly Phinney

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P.S. I have enclosed my poetry book, Of Wings and Dirt, as a gift to you.

P.S.S. Our literary journal, www.TheWayBack2Ourselves.com/journal will be publishing an entire collection of poetry, writing, and art inspired by YOU and The Peace of Wild Things in November. I know you do not hang around on the Internet, but perhaps you will pay a little visit in late November to see our humble offering to you and those who are searching for peace in a world that has grown loud, too.

P.S.S.S. Here is a haiku (or two) that will be published in my next book:

HARVEST
What's torn asunder
becomes growth matter. You will
see; give Time her due.


And one more:


IN PRAISE OF SLOW
I hear some of you
chase things, though the butterfly
lands on still shoulders.

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AFTERWORD

For those of you who are wondering, YES, you can REALLY write to this living legend, Mr. Wendell Berry. And, YES, I am mailing this to him as soon as I can! And, YES, I’ll be praying hard he might delight in it and write me back.

I am so grateful

By Sarah Steele

shared about her experience and encouraged me to write him, too.

I will keep you all posted.

Also, today is the LAST day to submit to our literary journal. CLICK HERE to learn more. Scroll through my recent Substack posts to read about the theme.

And to all of you who are checking in on my health with prayers and concern, today I started to walk a little after nearly one month of being bedridden. This is a miracle for us! There is a long way to go, and I will update you about the journey as it unfolds and as I am ready to share and face some of the more difficult parts. Right now, I am just very relieved to be home from the hospital and on medication that is helping me.

In the meantime, God bless you richly. And thank you for being here—all 500 of you today!

You belong here,

me