This is lovely. Thank you. One correction. According to his book “The Art of Loading Brush” (pp 12-13), Wendell and Tanya never raised tobacco on their own land. He helped neighbors with their crop and sometimes lease his tobacco base to neighbors, but they did not raise tobacco. Not wheat either, which is sometimes reported.
I love the way you write, Clare. You get right to what is human, significant, and wonderful about a subject. Wendell Berry had not been a poet I was aware of, sadly, and this article brought him vividly to life. I especially appreciate how his poetry was the thread winding through your family times together, happy and sad. Berry’s works seem perfect guy to have his words part of your history.
As a fan of Wendell Berry and of Mary Berry whom I am lucky enough to call a friend, I loved reading this wonderful piece about family and place. Always such inspiring stories in this newsletter! Thank you!
This is a beautifully written story of the enduring bonds of two families and their shared love of place, poetry, and nature. Thank you for sharing this deeply personal story—and a sample of Wendell Berry’s deeply contemplative poetry.
Gorgeous piece. You have written two pieces about people who stayed true to themselves, didn't enrich themselves, and dedicated themselves to the land. Thank you for shining a light on this farmer and poet.
How fascinating! Xoxo
Just beautiful.
Beautiful! Reading this after the passing of Wendell Berry
This is lovely. Thank you. One correction. According to his book “The Art of Loading Brush” (pp 12-13), Wendell and Tanya never raised tobacco on their own land. He helped neighbors with their crop and sometimes lease his tobacco base to neighbors, but they did not raise tobacco. Not wheat either, which is sometimes reported.
Thank you, Jane! The story has been updated to reflect that he did not actually grow tobacco himself.
Inspiring story.
I am grieving the loss of Wendell Berry. His poem, The Peace of Wild Things, and
Mary Oliver's Wild Geese never fail to stun me with their beauty. Thank you for
this post.
I love the way you write, Clare. You get right to what is human, significant, and wonderful about a subject. Wendell Berry had not been a poet I was aware of, sadly, and this article brought him vividly to life. I especially appreciate how his poetry was the thread winding through your family times together, happy and sad. Berry’s works seem perfect guy to have his words part of your history.
As a fan of Wendell Berry and of Mary Berry whom I am lucky enough to call a friend, I loved reading this wonderful piece about family and place. Always such inspiring stories in this newsletter! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this story!!
This is a beautifully written story of the enduring bonds of two families and their shared love of place, poetry, and nature. Thank you for sharing this deeply personal story—and a sample of Wendell Berry’s deeply contemplative poetry.
Pass the tissues, just lovely…. So lucky to have had Tony introduce Wendell (and Mary) into our lives.
Beautifully written
Such an interesting and (as usual) well written piece...I love learning from you Clare! Thanks for sharing the story.
Gorgeous piece. You have written two pieces about people who stayed true to themselves, didn't enrich themselves, and dedicated themselves to the land. Thank you for shining a light on this farmer and poet.
Your best yet! I really enjoyed learning about Wendell Berry. Keep them coming!
Well, I have found you Claire. And I look forward to finding Wendell’s poetry! Sarah