Capturing Nature in Verse

Hey, young Poet! Today, you'll express the beauty of nature through verse. You'll use the magic of words to uncover the secrets of plants, animals, and the world around you. Let your imagination soar and have fun as you start your poetry adventure!

What You'll Need:

  • Curiosity and Imagination
  • ​Nature Journal, and pencils
  • Braille slate and stylus 
  • (Tactile) drawing paper
  • Favorite drawing tools
  • Tactile markers
  • ​Internet access for research 
  • Screen reader (if available)

Instructions:

Step 1. Discover Great Poets' Words
Embark on an online journey to uncover and draw inspiration from celebrated poets. Explore how their poetic expressions challenge preconceptions and encourage new ways of thinking about nature.​


Step 2. Embrace Your Senses:
​Use your senses to connect with nature and inspire your words.

For example:
  • Touch: Explore the textures of nature around you. Feel the leaves of a potted plant, the bark of a tree, or anything else you come across. How do these textures inspire you?
  • Taste: If you have an edible snack, like a piece of fruit, taste it and savor its flavors. Contemplate the taste, texture, and smell.
  • Smell: Inhale deeply and identify the scents in your surroundings. Is it the fragrance of flowers, the earthy aroma of the soil, or something else? Let these scents spark your creativity.
  • Listen: Tune your ears and listen to the sounds of nature. What do you hear? Birds chirping, insects buzzing, or something else. Use these sounds to spark your imagination. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use your other senses for creative inspiration.
  • Sight: Observe the world around you, noting the colors, shapes, and movements that grab your attention. If you have low or no vision, let your other senses guide your creative journey.

​Make notes or sketches of your observations in your Nature Journal, braille slate, or on (tactile) drawing paper; let what you have learned observing nature through your senses inspire your poem. 


Step 3. Write Your Poem:
Celebrate nature's diversity through creativity and investigation.
Compose a nature poem in your Nature Journal or braille slate. Combine your observations, notes, and imagination in a style that speaks to you.


6. Pause and Reflect:
Consider your creative processes once you have completed your poem. In your Nature Journal or braille slate, outline the critical steps from observation to polished poetry. These ideas are invaluable for poets who want to broaden their knowledge and develop their creative approach!​


Step 7. Questions:
Write the answers to the following questions in your Nature Journal or braille slate.

  1. What specific aspects of nature inspired you the most when crafting your poem?
  2. In what ways does incorporating sensory details enhance your poetry?
  3. How does observing nature with a poet's eye change your overall perception of the world around you?
  4. Do your cultural and personal experiences influence how you write about nature in your poetry?
  5. Are you inspired to write more nature poems in the future, and if so, what other aspects of nature would you like to write about next?


Step 6: Share Your Poetry
Proudly share your nature-inspired poetry with your family, friends, and others important to you!​ Read your verse out aloud to them. Let your creativity inspire others to explore the beauty of nature through poetry.


Conclusion:
Nature's beauty surrounds you, waiting for you to discover it. Allow your surroundings, whatever they may be, to inspire your creativity. Have fun, young Poet, and keep writing!

Image credit: Photograph by Anna Pavlova