The Peace of Wild Things - Sanctuary

A song for troubled times

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry

I should start by saying I have written and rewritten this post many times in the past days. As a songwriter and poet, I know the power of language to create something new and how it can sometimes be a vehicle for expressing what is deep and wordless, including grief, anger, resolve, longing and loss. The weight of these days has felt inexpressibly heavy. I know that a song cannot stop a war. I know a poem cannot change a history of trauma and continuing violence. And yet, it is still possible to create something of beauty, to shape a space for empathy at the center of a song or poem, where we can still encounter what is shared and human, where we can still recognize one another as connected, even in disconnected times.

When the edges of the world feel frayed, songwriters use music and language to express that is unraveling, but also to remember what is still whole.

Last night, Gary Walters and performed in Denver at a benefit for Archway Communities. Archway has been working faithful to elevate lives by providing access to affordable housing, food security and the kinds of supportive social services people need to thrive, creating communities of dignity and respect, willing to lean into courage and kindness, to do the hard tasks, and the ability to celebrate each small step forward for the triumph it is. Tonight we’ll be performing at a Chautauqua in Boulder, a beautiful park that was created out of the Chautauqua movement which was dedicated to bringing music, speakers, education, and interfaith spiritual learning to small communities.

I am leaning into these experiences, knowing there is so much I cannot change, and yet there is so much I can do, change that is within my influence, a space I can shape where weary hearts can meet in solace and community.

This is a link to a song that was written at a time of political and personal grief. In my little home state a shocking law had been passed that would deeply and grievously effect people and the communities I love. I sat in an airport shocked by the news. My head in my hands thinking of all suffering to come in the days and months ahead. Finally, I pulled out my computer and emailed my dear friend Parker J. Palmer. I asked, “What does a person do when they are personally and politically utterly heartbroken?” Later in my hotel room I read his response. He wrote about hope, disappointment and about taking sanctuary. There are times when we stand up, move forward, take daily and faithful action. But there are also times when we find sanctuary, when we rest in the arms of an individual, group or community we trust, gathering courage, comfort and strength for the difficult days ahead. He spoke of Brown Chapel, he spoke of his own times of need and taking refugee. And after wiping my eyes, I pull up my guitar and wrote this song. This is a live video of the song, its called Sanctuary performed my long time collaborator, Gary Walters. You can also hear and share the recorded version on Spotify here

In this moment, when we are faced with such questions, we need resources beyond cable news. And so I’ve been checking in with some of my trusted sources for thoughtful, compassionate reflection on current events. I’ve gone to spiritual texts and the words of the poets. I’ve been singing songs that have lasted because they are true. And like Wendell Berry, I’ve been going to the woods to literally lay down on the earth and remember what connects us and is still whole - resting in the peace of wild things that still thread through the world, even now…yes, even now.

These days I pray for the courage to speak and in equal measure the wisdom to listen. Even as we grieve, let us keep putting love into the world in the best way we know how. May we live with gratitude and grace, finding joy even in times when happiness eludes. May we all find safe sanctuary in times when our hearts are weary, confused or sincerely wrestling. Let us bow our heads in compassion for a suffering world. Let us find comfort and wisdom in the peace of wild things. Let create beauty and reweave the threads that are frayed but still unbroken.

Beloved, all is not lost.

There is still a great wild mercy threading through this world and between us. It is still there at the center of song. It is still pointed toward in the words of the poets. It is still right here whenever we give and receive sanctuary in troubled times.

Warmly,

Carrie

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No Question this week…but an encouragement to simple affirmation of presence in community and sanctuary.

I don’t have a question for the community this time. This maybe this is a time to simply “be” with one another in Sanctuary, gathering in all of our good intentions and care, sharing a space where love still is the greatest law where we can begin again tomorrow.

In the comment session I encourage you to speak aloud to the community, “I am here and we are sanctuary”

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A Great Wild Mercy is Now Available on All Streaming Platforms.

Hi Everyone, Its Here! I’m doing my weekly public post on Friday because I want to celebrate the release my full album, A Great Wild Mercy!

THE FULL album of A Great Wild Mercy is now available on all streaming platforms as well as available for purchase through my website store, I-tunes or where ever you get your music! I love what happened with these songs in the recording process, and I hope you do too!

Here’s the Direct Spotify Link for the full album!