August 11, 2017

Poetry Friday--"In Nature"

Last Friday, Carol Varsalona posted a poem she had written based upon ten words selected from an article on the benefits to children of being out in nature. The article comes from the Center for Parenting Information.

I have also taken up the challenge of writing a poem from the ten words selected from the article:

  • children
  • creative
  • curiosity
  • explore
  • listening
  • nature
  • outdoors
  • relaxation
  • senses
  • stewardship



    • I ended up with a sequence of haiku. I used all the words (or a variant of the words) except for "listening." I used "to hear" in its place, which is arguably different, but close enough.


    © Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

    Text:

    In Nature

    walk in the woods
    all senses a-tingle
    ...so ready

    curiosity
    enhanced by exploration
    ...children defined

    outdoors...
    creation of creatures
    from clouds

    noticing stewards:
    chipmunk drops an acorn
    purple finch poops

    late afternoon
    quiet enough to hear
    the quiet

    relaxation...
    how easily anxiety
    capitulates


    Visit Margaret at Reflections on the Teche for this week's Round-Up. You'll be glad you did!


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    26 comments:

    1. Robyn Hood BlackAugust 10, 2017 at 11:30 PM

      What a great idea for finessing Carol's prompt, Diane! "late afternoon" is my favorite... even the picture, too, though the creatures are fetching, even the snake.

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:42 AM

        Yes, even the snake! I love how it is up against green oxalis.

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    2. Margaret SimonAugust 11, 2017 at 6:25 AM

      Thanks for the nature walk through your images and haiku. I haven't written to this challenge yet, but your series inspires me.

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:43 AM

        I keep forgetting to take up the challenge. This one seemed like a perfect fit for haiku.

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    3. Linda BAugust 11, 2017 at 8:20 AM

      I especially like "noticing stewards", Diane. You've taken this challenge and made it uniquely yours. Beautiful images.

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:44 AM

        Without those hungry little creatures, there'd be no woods!

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    4. Irene LathamAugust 11, 2017 at 8:56 AM

      I love the sequence, Diane! This could be a wonderful picture book, if expanded! My favorite... late afternoon/quiet enough to hear/ the quiet. LOVELY. xo

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:45 AM

        Thanks, Irene! Late afternoon is my favorite, too.

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    5. AnonymousAugust 11, 2017 at 9:54 AM

      Very good, D! Jet

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    6. Mrs. WymanAugust 11, 2017 at 10:35 AM

      Diane -- That's gorgeous...apart from the snake! Love that challenge Carol threw out and I shall play with it as well. Beautiful! -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:49 AM

        Please do play! I'm always amazed at how differently each writer approaches the words.

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    7. KayAugust 11, 2017 at 1:06 PM

      I love these haiku and images to go with them. They capture so much of the beauty and peace I find outside.

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:52 AM

        Most of the photos were taken just a mile or two from home. As a matter of fact, the buttercups and the sky were right outside my door. The beach is a little more distant, but not much.

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    8. Whispers from the RidgeAugust 11, 2017 at 3:44 PM

      "Quiet enough to hear, the quiet..." Such a great phrase!

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    9. TabathaAugust 11, 2017 at 8:12 PM

      Nicely done, Diane. Terrific challenge.

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:55 AM

        Thanks Tabatha! With words such as the ones on the list, it is often hard to keep a poem from tipping into didacticism.

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    10. Donna SmithAugust 12, 2017 at 7:05 AM

      Great weaving of words into poems into images. Loved especially "quiet enough to hear the quiet".

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      1. Diane MayrAugust 12, 2017 at 8:56 AM

        Thanks, Donna! We live in a beautiful part of the country.

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    11. Brenda at FriendlyFairyTalesAugust 12, 2017 at 8:58 AM

      Laughter in the details, love in the silence. Great job, Diane.

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    12. Linda MitchellAugust 12, 2017 at 3:15 PM

      This is great! Your display of haiku makes me want to try it!

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    13. Violet N.August 12, 2017 at 5:32 PM

      Wow - I love these, Diane. My favourite:

      late afternoon
      quiet enough to hear
      the quiet

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    14. Carol VarsalonaAugust 12, 2017 at 9:23 PM

      Diane, I am just getting around to reading more PF pieces when I came to yours. You did a splendid job of creating a photo essay/picture book walk through nature with the prompt I presented last week. I just captured Haiku Sequence to place in my Nature folder. The images and poetry are a wonderful walk through nature.

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    15. AnonymousAugust 12, 2017 at 11:16 PM

      Such a beautiful progression through poetry, time and nature. I too like the stewards and the quiet - but also the way that anxiety capitulates.

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    16. michelle koganAugust 13, 2017 at 2:07 AM

      Beautiful collection of haikus Diane. They are even richer matched up with the photo images–I especially like the squirrel hanging off the edge, your "purple finch," and "late afternoon" haikus, thanks!

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