New Poem “In Nature” & The Prompt Behind It

by | Oct 2, 2019 | Blog, Craft (Writing Tips), My Poems, My Writing Challenges

IN NATURE 

My daughter calls the outdoors home & needs 
no reason to enter. Her skin, the brush. Her voice 

& birdsong. Her running speed & the air 
through the field. They are the same. 

Sometimes, she blends in so well, I cannot see her. 

The brownest strands of her hair & the bark 
of her favorite tree. Her brown eyes 

& the sparrow. The sway in the flowers & the wave
of her hand. I lose her, if only for a moment, 

but I sink into a feeling of loneliness, until I hear 
her call, her laugh, somewhere in the yard. Whether she is

behind the house, around a tree, or hiding under 
a bush, it doesn’t matter. I know she will come back.

Will be hungry & come home for dinner. 
I know she is under the sun.

*

Happy Wednesday, friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful week.

Today is Writing Prompt Wednesday, which means it’s time for a new poem, and a new writing prompt! I hope you’re ready.

You’ll find my poem above, called “In Nature.” I loved writing this one, and I hope you enjoy it.

And without further ado, here is the prompt I used to start writing the poem:

Think about an important, political, environmentally alert issue (there’s not much which isn’t these days!) that is important to you on a personal level.

I addressed this prompt from the perspective of nature—and nothing is more personal to me than how I’m raising my children in it. I’m doing my best to raise kids who prefer to be outside, playing, rather than inside observing a screen. I’m teaching them to love, admire, and respect nature, from the wind to the rain to the plants and all the little living things we may encounter out there. Right now, I’m writing a lot of poetry that centers around watching my children grow up in nature, and I can see this poem fitting in among that collection.

How will you use this prompt?

I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I’d love to see any of you attempt this writing prompt, as well, and send me your resulting poems! I’ll share a favorite or two on our next Writing Prompt Wednesday, in addition to sharing my new poem and prompt. I hope you’ll submit your work!

Happy Wednesday, all! And Happy Inspiration!