A recurring theme in Wendell Berry’s writings is the balance of “woods,” where nature is left to sustain itself, and “fields,” where people and nature sustain each other. The first section of this piece utilizes his poem “Woods.” The second movement, “Field of Wings,” recalls an evening when I’d found myself in the middle of Nebraska on the shoulder of a farm road, gawking at an awesome display of snow geese and sand hill cranes. Thousands of these migrating companions lifted themselves from the plowed field into the twilight. My ears were full of their glottal calls as they swirled above me with their undulating bodies and long necks. Stragglers struggled to find their place in formations bound for a long journey.

Malcolm Dalglish: dulcimer, shaker, udu, vocals.
Moira Smiley & Naomi Dalglish: vocals
Joshua Kartes: piano
N. Scott Robinson: corn stalk brushes, claves, Japanese frame drum, pandiero, tamburello

The song “Woods” was written for The Bel Canto Children’s Chorus, Philadelphia, PA
“Woods” by Wendell Berry from Collected Poems 1957-1982 (North Point Press) © 1984 used by arr. with Shoemaker and Hoard.

“Field of Wings” was written for the Contra Costa Children’s Chorus, Walnut Creek, California
© 2003 Ooolitic Music BMI