Poetry Friday: Finishing Well
One never knows, but I’ve been thinking lately that I’m probably about halfway through my life. Maybe a little over.
What do I have to show for it?
I look back over my story so far and see an odd jumble of ingredients that don’t seem to have resolved themselves yet into a definite direction. If I were reading it in a book, some episodes would make me sad or worried, but nevertheless I like my story. I wouldn’t want to trade it for someone else’s; I’ve grown attached to it. But… where is it leading? What impact will it have?
Many good stories don’t really gain momentum till after they pass the halfway point. Then all the threads are gathered together and the total picture comes clear. I’m hoping mine will be in that class.
In this mood, Wendell Berry’s “From the Crest” comes to mind. It’s a long poem, but these lines from the third section lend a voice to my mid-life ruminations:
From the crest of the wave
the grave is in sight,
the soul’s last deep track
in the known…I am trying to teach
my mind to accept the finish
that all good work must have:
of hands touching me,
days and weathers passing
over me, the smooth of love,
the wearing of the earth.
At the final stroke
I will be a finished man.
Or, in my case — a finished woman.
Poetry Friday is at Read Write Believe today.
9 Comments
Andromeda Jazmon
I love Wendell Berry. Thanks for sharing this one with us!
jama
Thanks to you, I have new appreciation for Wendell Berry. :)
Barbara H.
I’ve had similar thoughts about being probably past the half-way point. It’s sobering. I’m looking forward to seeing what God does with “the rest of the story.”
Sara Lewis Holmes
Wendell Berry called it right. Although, being at the crest sounds nice, doesn’t it? Everything rolling beneath us, great view, some speed…I think we just need to keep our balance and hang on.
Amy @ Hope Is the Word
Lovely.
DebD
You are making a huge impact on your children that no one else can give them. I do like the poem.
Carlie
The idea of “the crest” is totally alluring. I hope your story starts to materialize…it’s great to see a lot of lively threads and wonder what they’re making.
Mary Lee
I like your reminder that stories gain momentum and start to show us the big themes at or after the halfway point. I’m there, and I love this new way of looking at my life story!
laurasalas
Wow. This is gorgeous. “the smooth of love,
the wearing of the earth.”
Thank you…