Poetry that Celebrates the Present Moment

Embracing the Beauty of Now

In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to get caught up in the past or worry about the future, often forgetting to savor the present moment. However, poets have long recognized the significance of being fully present and have captured this essence in their works. These poems gently remind us to slow down, appreciate the world around us, and find solace in the simplicity of now.

1. "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry

In this enchanting piece, Wendell Berry invites us to find tranquility in nature, away from the chaos of everyday life. He urges readers to let go of their anxieties and embrace the serenity of the present moment. Through vivid imagery and soothing language, Berry's poem encourages us to reconnect with the natural world and discover peace within ourselves.

"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.

2. "The Journey" by Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver's poem, "The Journey," inspires readers to embrace the present moment and take control of their lives. It encourages us to let go of the past and future, focusing instead on the path we are currently walking. Oliver's expressive language and deep reflections remind us that life's true journey lies within ourselves, and by living fully in the present, we can discover our own strength and purpose.

"The Journey"
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

The Power of Living in the Moment

These poems, among countless others, remind us of the power of being fully present in our lives. They encourage us to release our worries, let go of regrets, and focus on the beauty and opportunities that exist in the here and now. Through their evocative words, poets urge us to appreciate the simple joys, find peace within ourselves, and embark on the journey of self-discovery.

So, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by the past or consumed by the future, turn to poetry as a reminder to embrace the present moment. Allow these poems to guide you back to the here and now, where life's true beauty unfolds.