A Clearing
By Wendell Berry, first published in Hudson Review
A young boy finds a clearing while exploring the wilderness and meditatively observes the nature around him.
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Andy Catlett recalls an afternoon he spent in the woods by his house. He remembers leaving his home between lunch and dinner. He had journeyed across the open pasture away from his grandfather's farm. Soon, he came across the woods. He ventured into the forest, a stretch of land unfamiliar to him. Andy spent much of his journey simply watching nature unfold before him, admiring the slope of ground and texture of the environment. As he walked, he thought about his life. Andy entered a meditative state. He was no longer very aware of who he was, or where he was supposed to be. There was no predetermined path to take, yet he continued onward. Andy lost all sense of time and urgency. He caught momentary glimpses of small woodland creatures as he traveled. When he came upon two tree trunks forming a makeshift seat, Andy rested. He dreamt of the hunter he would be one day. Then, a single fox crossed his path and took his breath away. He was struck by the presence and beauty he felt. Andy continued, coming across a clearing. He was so moved that he stood before the clearing until he was desperate for dinner. He never forgot the clearing, although he never returned. Only later on in life did he learn about the man who owned that land, Alvin Coulter. He reflects on the interconnectedness and influential power of nature.
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