We discuss Wendell Berry’s poem “Do Not Be Ashamed.” This is a repost of episode 35, and we thought it would be fitting to share again. We’ll be back next time with a new episode. Below you will find the full poem.
Do Not Be Ashamed by Wendell Berry
You will be walking some nightin the comfortable dark of your yardand suddenly a great light will shineround about you, and behind youwill be a wall you never saw before.It will be clear to you suddenlythat you were about to escape,and that you are guilty: you misreadthe complex instructions, you are nota member, you lost your cardor never had one. And you will knowthat they have been there all along,their eyes on your letters and books,their hands in your pockets,their ears wired to your bed.Though you have done nothing shameful,they will want you to be ashamed.They will want you to kneel and weepand say you should have been like them.And once you say you are ashamed,reading the page they hold out to you,then such light as you have madein your history will leave you.They will no longer need to pursue you.You will pursue them, begging forgiveness.They will not forgive you.There is no power against them.It is only candor that is aloof from them,only an inward clarity, unashamed,that they cannot reach. Be ready.When their light has picked you outand their questions are asked, say to them:“I am not ashamed.” A sure horizonwill come around you. The heron will beginhis evening flight from the hilltop.
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