#055: Thanksgiving from the Words of Wendell Berry

Join us on this Thanksgiving episode as we dive into gratitude, especially in regards to food. Tyler attempts to read some poetry and Nick grades him harshly. We use the wise words of American poet and agricultural/environmental activist, Wendell Berry, to frame our minds and hearts around what it means to enter into deeper gratitude about the food we consume. See below for the text of these poems and the excerpt from his book of essays, Bringing it to the Table.
Also check out the song (to be performed someday by Morgan!) "Waltzing Matilda" and one of Nick's favorite children's story, Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. And because I shouted them out in the show, happy Thanksgiving to Storey Family Farm and to any of our South Bend listeners.
We are grateful for all our listeners! Share the love and leave us a review or send us a message at [email protected].
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The Wish to be Generous

ALL that I serve will die, all my delights,
the flesh kindled from my flesh, garden and field,
the silent lilies standing in the woods,
the woods, the hill, the whole earth, all
will burn in man’s evil, or dwindle
in its own age. Let the world bring on me
the sleep of darkness without stars, so I may know
my little light taken from me into the seed
of the beginning and the end, so I may bow
to mystery, and take my stand on the earth
like a tree in a field, passing without haste
or regret toward what will be, my life
a patient willing descent into the grass.

Wendell Berry
A Prayer After Eating
I have taken in the light
that quickened eye and leaf
May my brain be bright with praise
of what I eat, in the brief blaze
of motion and of thought.
May I be worthy of my meat.
- Wendell Berry