What We Need Is Here. by Wendell Berry

Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.

This poem is very central to the focus and feeling of Mr. Berry's novels and nonfiction, as well as his other poetry. He loves the land and its people, and he always speaks of our proper place in our world...a place of responsibility and conservation, not a world of gluttony and exploitation of resources and other people.