Wendell Berry's Thanksgiving Poem: A Literary Feast

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, the spirit of Thanksgiving approaches. For many, this season of gratitude is a time to reflect on blessings, share traditions, and gather with loved ones. One voice that consistently resonates during this time is that of Wendell Berry, an American poet, novelist, and farmer, who has penned powerful reflections on this holiday and its deeper significance. His "Thanksgiving Poem" (from his 1987 collection, A Place on Earth) stands as a poignant reminder of the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Berry, a Kentucky native and lifelong advocate for sustainable farming and land conservation, infuses his poetry with themes of home, community, and our relationship with the natural world. His Thanksgiving poem embodies a heartfelt appreciation for the simple, everyday gifts we often overlook, inviting readers to pause and consider the essence of gratitude.

The Power of Gathering and Food

At the heart of Berry's thanksgiving reflections lies the profound significance of gathering and shared meals. Gathered around the table, we find ourselves connected, not just to those present, but also to our ancestry and community. Berry writes, "What I am grateful for isa circle of survivors, by good luck, by good management, by good fortune, or good grace, a rare galvanizing force that gets us through the small disasters, the unmerited tragedies of this place and time."

Here, Berry acknowledges the resilience and fortitude of his community, as well as the importance of collective strength in navigating life's challenges. The meal itself—a tangible expression of abundance and provision—serves as a testament to this unity.

Appreciation for the Natural World

Moreover, "Thanksgiving Poem" reflects Berry's deep love and respect for the natural world. HeGracias this "place" that has nourished and sustained him, "this farm and these hills, this valley and its stream," acknowledging that even the Earth itself requires grace—grace to bear us and all our spilled blood." This troubling yet tender image underscores Berry's conviction that we are inextricably bound to the land and, like the Earth, in need of mercy.

Berry continues his praise for the natural world by thanking "each thing / that has called me out of my choices and back / into the enterprise of being alive, each thing, mercenary and faithful, predatory and sortive, that has brought me to my Luego I wake to sleep, and take my lunch, and work til noon, Remembering, commenting, to my soul, 'Well done, well done.' "

The Practice of gratitude

Berry's poem also underscores the transformative power of gratitude as a lifelong practice. He invites us to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving not just on an annual basis, but as a daily discipline, a "way of being." This slow, deliberate practice of gratitude connects us to the sacred in the mundane, making every day an opportunity for thanksgiving.

Berry writes, "I am self-aware enough to see that I discover my soul / By living it in company, by being with, by being surrounded / By my friends. I am so abroad in their natures / That when they go I go with them." Here, he suggests that gratitude is not merely an individual sentiment but a communal one, nurtured through the give-and-take of relationships.

The Larger Significance of Thanksgiving

Beyond the personal, Berry's Thanksgiving poem prompts readers to consider the broader implications of gratitude. In a world beset by strife and division, thanksgiving offers a counter-narrative, a radical act of resistance.

Berry contemplates the global scale of gratitude in these lines, duchest of grief beyond recovery, this place which will not be other than it is." Here, he acknowledges the pain and suffering inherent in life, yet he resolves to continue his thanksgiving, recognizing that the Earth is inviolable and beyond human control.

Gratitude as a Call to Hope

In Berry's view, thanksgiving is not an exercise in denial or naivety. Rather, it is a means by which we make our lives whole, by which we recognize that "to live is to be wounded," yet press on nonetheless. This tender, hopeful perspective finds voice in Berry's closing lines: "What is mortal, exceptional, lies within such scars?"

Here, Berry affirms that our capacity for gratitude is inextricably linked to our ability to heal, our capacity to hope. When we choose gratitude, we embrace a future of renewal and redemption, charting a course through our wounds towards wholeness.

The calendar may mark the end of November as Thanksgiving comes to a close, but Berry's "Thanksgiving Poem" reminds us that the spirit of gratitude is timeless. As we move forward, Berry's words urge us to carry the heart of Thanksgiving with us year-round, cultivating a culture of gratitude, hope, and healing. So, let us give thanks—not just once a year, but daily—for the land, our loved ones, and the countless gifts that make life worth living. Let us live, and eat, and rejoice—for there is always cause for thanksgiving.