The Real Work - A poem by Wendell Berry


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Wendell Berry - The Real Work

It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come our real work,

and that 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 impeded stream is the one that sings.

Added: on January 30th, 2006 at 11:57 AM | Viewed: 2533 times | Comments and analysis of The Real Work by Wendell Berry Comments (1)

The Real Work - Comments and Information
Poet: Wendell Berry Poem: The Real Work Comment 1 of 1, added on January 30th, 2006 at 11:57 AM. "The impeded stream is the one that sings" is a beautiful ending line that somehow finds a new way to express a very tired theme: you can only appreciate your achievements when you have had to overcome obstacles. In this case, it is the water rushing over the rocks that creates the sound that Berry says is singing and the silent stream with no impediments is life without song or achievement. I have been a big fan of Wendell Berry for some time and I connect with his view of humanity through nature. Jim McGowan from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Real Work, has received one comment so far. Click here to read it, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Wendell Berry with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Wendell Berry Poem: The Real Work Last read: Jul 25 2008, 2:43AM Viewed 2533 times. Added on January 30th, 2006 at 11:57 AM.

Berry Info
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