Because: Finding Joy in Poetry and Life’s Simple Pleasures
Because
Host: Phil Amerson
Show Notes
In this short yet heartwarming episode of "To Be snd Do," Phil Amerson invites us into a gathering of retired friends wrestling with the world's problems but choosing, just this once, to focus on joy. Through personal stories and the power of poetry, Phil Amerson reminds listeners to pause and reflect on what truly brings them happiness in life.
Episode Summary
Phil Amerson begins by recounting a recent meeting with a group of retired men. Typically, their conversations drift toward the struggles and issues facing the world. However, their most recent gathering took a different turn when someone asked, “What brings you joy?” The answers were as diverse as the men themselves: sports, grandchildren, travel, the simple pleasure of a meal, and gratitude for the ability to help others.
For Phil Amerson, poetry is a source of joy. He shares his ongoing quest to learn new poems even in retirement. This leads him to recite "Our Real Work" by Wendell Berry, a revered poet and novelist from Kentucky. The poem explores themes of uncertainty, work, and the beauty of challenges—summed up in the striking line, “It is the impeded stream that sings.”
Three Key Takeaways
- Joy Can Be Found in Everyday Life
- The conversation among Phil Amerson and his friends highlights how joy arises from both ordinary and extraordinary moments—whether it's a football game, family, good food, or helping others. It’s a reminder to look for happiness in everyday experiences.
- Poetry as a Gateway to Reflection
- For Phil Amerson, poetry offers solace, inspiration, and joy. Sharing and memorizing poems—like Berry’s “Our Real Work”—can be a meaningful way to process life’s uncertainties and celebrate its mysteries. Poetry invites us to pause, listen, and find wisdom in artful words.
- Embracing Uncertainty Is Part of Our ‘Real Work’
- Berry’s poem suggests that not knowing exactly what to do or which way to go is not a failing but a beginning. When our minds are “baffled,” we are truly engaged, and life’s obstacles can help us find our unique song—the very challenges that impede us also shape us and inspire growth.
Whether you’re facing uncertainty or searching for joy, this episode encourages you to embrace both with openness and curiosity.
Transcript
Greetings, everyone. This is Phil Amerson with one of those short episodes we call because and today I want to share with you something that happened recently. I'm in a group with a number of other men.
Philip Amerson [:All of us are retired now, but.
Philip Amerson [:We are prone to talk about all.
Philip Amerson [:The problems of the world.
Philip Amerson [:And instead, at the last gathering, the.
Philip Amerson [:Question we focused on was, what brings you joy?
Philip Amerson [:That was the question and lots of good answers.
Philip Amerson [:Everything from Indiana University football to grandchildren.
Philip Amerson [:To travel to a good meal to.
Philip Amerson [:The good fortune we have to be able to help others.
Philip Amerson [:But one of the things that I.
Philip Amerson [:Shared that brought me joy was poetry.
Philip Amerson [:And I've been trying to learn new.
Philip Amerson [:Poems, short ones, at my age. But here is a poem from Wendell Berry.
Philip Amerson [:It's entitled Our Real Work. And Wendell Berry is now in his 90s. He's still living down in Northern Kentucky, a wonderful writer.
Philip Amerson [:If you don't know the writings of Wendell Berry, you can start anywhere with the poem or with one of his novels or one of his reflections on society. But here is the poem, our real work.
Philip Amerson [:It may be that when we no.
Philip Amerson [:Longer know what to do, we have.
Philip Amerson [:Come to our real work. And when we no longer know which.
Philip Amerson [:Way to go, we have begun our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. It is the impeded stream that sings.
Philip Amerson [:Window Berries, our real work. This is Philip Amerson for Because.
