On Reading Poetry: How to Be a Poet by Wendell Berry

Wendell Berry (1934-2026) was a poet, essayist, novelist, farmer, and environmentalist, who lived on a farm in rural Kentucky. He was known for his staunch rejection of technology throughout his life. His poetry celebrates nature and the beauty of everyday life. Berry’s writing, whether poetry or prose, had a consistent message: that human beings must learn to live in harmony with the natural world in order to survive. He believed in small-scale farming and the well being of local communities and their economies, as critical for the planet's wellbeing. This week, we are reading his poem called “How to be a Poet".

You can read the poem here.