The Wheel

by Wendell Berry

Elegiac poems explore the cycle of birth, life, and death and examine the author's personal experiences

Genres: Poetry, Nature

60 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1982

About the author

Wendell Berry is a conservationist, farmer, essayist, novelist, professor of English and poet. He was born August 5, 1934 in Henry County, Kentucky where he now lives on a farm. The New York Times has called Berry the "prophet of rural America."

Reviews

[Tony Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

If an alien were to land in Northern Kentucky and want to know more about his neighbors, the first person I would introduce him to is Wendell Berry. Berry is a farmer-poet, an educator-essayist, a story telling conservationist who celebrates creation while still honoring the Creator.

Much like Berry's other poetical works, this collection contains an earthy spirituality. Berry is at his best when he is remembering his neighbors, whom he loves deeply. This is quite evident at the end of his poem, "Requiem":

Now may the grace of death
be upon him, his spirit blessed
in deep song of the world
and the stars turning, the seasons
returning, and long rest.

[Sanjuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the running for my favorite among Berry's poetry collections. The first few poems are especially powerful. The collection focuses on the cycle of life, or, "The Wheel," - the process of birth, growth, maturity, death, decay, and decay feeding new life all over again. The dead inform the living, which feeds on the land and the wisdom that came before it. Some of the earlier poems will get you to think about life and death in fresh ways.

[Jonathan Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

These poems were beautiful, but not necessarily the most ADHD-friendly (in my experience).

For some reason it just consistently seemed to take extra effort for me to focus on and appreciate them appropriately, compared to a lot of the other poetry I've been reading and enjoying lately. The writing is still magnificent though, and if you're neurotypical, you may get more of a 5-star experience out of this book than I did.

[ANNA fayard]

“Elegy” — “Their eyes, having grieved all grief, were clear”

“Our Children, Coming of Age” — “When you meet the destined ones / now dancing toward you, / we will be in line behind you, / out of awareness for the time, / we whom you know, others we remember, / whom you do not remember, others / forgotten by us all”

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last of a series of Berry’s poetry volumes I’ve been immersed in. Having recently moved back to the country, the poems came at the perfect time. and another meditation on the land, community, family, and our place in the circle of life. Wendell Berry gives much and is always worth the time.

[Dwayne Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good poetry.

[Jordan Kinsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One wonders if Maslanka knew the works of Berry, for there is definitely a fair share of the “powerful voice of the Earth” in this slim volume of poems. The first few, also, ate about my father.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The song will tell/how old love sweetens the fields." This is my second encounter with Wendell Berry, securing me as an admirer of his work for life. The Wheel explores the circle of life and death - in the individual, in the human race - and the convergence of the living and the dead in brief moments. In "Elegy," Berry has a dreamlike encounter with a deceased friend, and in "The Dance" he summons his people in an ancient circle of dancing, recalling loved ones in the communal festivity. Berry is down-to-earth and real; his poetry is beautiful, yet devoid of sentimentalism or lofty allusions. I would recommend this collection to anyone.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixty pages of poetry that is simple, very accessible, and yet quite powerful.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[C. Noah Baoas]

Best enjoyed on rainy days, in a quiet space, next to a window!