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.
Poems About Owls
Favorite Books of 2021 and Readers’ Poll
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.
Mini-Season: Frost Descent
As we near the end of October, we welcome the mini season of Frost Descent. At this time, we reflect on the impermanent nature of all things.
Poetry and the Isle of Skye with Sue Wood
Today we have an interview with author, artist, and poet Sue Wood. Sue talks with us about nature, the Isle of Skye, her new book, and shares a couple of poems.
The Poetry of October and the Star of Aldebaran
When the Hunter's Moon begins to recede, the planets, stars, and constellations begin to fill up the night sky. It is these other heavenly elements that have made their way into today's poems by Robinson Jeffers, William Alexander Percy, and Winifred M. Letts.
Micro-Season: “The Grasshopper Sings”
An early frost may threaten the grasshopper and the crickets may find a way into your home. Poets Yoshino Yoshiko and Hazel Hall remind us that there is still work to do during this season.
Two Podcasts for Nature Inspired Poetry
Two podcasts that every reader and writer must have on your playlist.
Poems about Leaves
With the leaves dropping from the branches, and the flowers curling in on themselves, the poets are spurred to pick up their pens and write about these transitions. Today we have three poems about leaves.
Mini-Season: Cold Dew
Early October welcomes the mini-season of Cold Dew. As a way to welcome in this mini-season, we will look at some seasonal changes including bird molting and fall foliage. We will then read a poem by Emily Brontë.
The Sense of Wonder
The reasons for wanting to pass down knowledge can be various, but what remains the same is the underlying hope that others can benefit from your experiences. Today we have two books from accomplished authors that contribute to creating a sense of wonder in the natural world.
Poems about Mushrooms
Emily Dickinson wrote: “Had Nature an Apostate-/ That Mushroom -it is Him!”. These lines acknowledge that mushrooms do not follow any of the traditional laws of nature. Dickinson is telling us, in her own poetic fashion, that mushrooms are a breed unto themselves. Today we have poems by Dickinson, Quinones, Sze, and Rohrer, that investigate the fascinating fungal kingdom.
Exploring Pastoral Poetry
Pastoral poetry focuses on an idealized notion of the rural landscape. This tradition started with Hesiod and we can still find traces of it in the work of Wendell Berry and Dylan Thomas.
Naturalist Weekly 