Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
In the winter woods the sound of a woodpecker resonates through the trees. This drumming or tapping behavior of the woodpeckers makes these birds both noticeable and unique. As a result there are many poems written about them. Today we have poems by Dickinson, Alling, Basho, Issa, and Silverstein.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North is Basho’s third book documenting his travels in Japan, and it is considered one of the major Japanese texts from the Edo period. This book, written in haibun, demonstrates Basho’s mastery of this form. Yuasa states that the “prose and haiku illuminate each other like two mirrors held up facing each other.”
If you happen to be lucky enough to have an encounter with a fox, you may be inspired to write a poem about it. Today we have poems for Alice Oswald, Jane Hirshfield, Issa, and a story about Basho.
Basho's poem about the moon glow and the drifting clouds makes me think about the Buddhist teaching of the Two Truths. However, I wanted to know what other people thought. So I asked and what I learned was pretty fascinating.
I remember when I first learned that the Inuit have around 50 words for snow. At that time, my understanding of snow was limited. Now I know that there is so much more to know about snow including the poetry.
From Li Bai, to Kobayashi Issa, to Wallace Stevens, poets across time have tried to capture the moon’s mysterious nature into verse. Today we have seven examples of the moon’s presence in the poetic form.
The owl, with its nocturnal lifestyle and distinct appearance has made it the perfect subject for poetry. Today we have poems from Issa, Alan Watts, Emily Dickinson, and many more.
As we move towards the end of the year, I wanted to spend a bit of time reflecting on my favorite books and provide an opportunity to hear about your favorites. Below are four of my favorite books, and an opportunity for you to help create the 1st Annual Naturalist Weekly Readers’ Book List.
The Chrysanthemum has found its way into the poetry of ancient China, Japan, and 1900s England. Here is a collection of poems and haikus that highlight this flower.
The mini season of White Dew runs from September 7 until September 21. To honor this season we have collected several seasonal haiku by the early masters.
Poetry can be the perfect way to celebrate our connection to the natural world. Poems about nature often tap into the essence of a moment, express the notion of biophilia, and will propel the reader beyond the written word.
In the twilight rain/these brilliant-hued hibiscus/A lovely sunset/--Basho. What role does the symbolism of the hibiscus play in this haiku?
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