Since this week marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day AND also falls within National Poetry Month, we offer the following guide to some of the most important nature poetry …
Included are twelve essential nature poets whose work we continually read and re-read. Where possible, we’ve also included links to previously posted examples of their work on our website.
10) Naomi Shahib Nye
Naomi Shihab Nye is a poet and songwriter born in 1952 to a Palestinian father and American mother. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, Jerusalem, and San Antonio, Texas. However, San Antonio is where she considers home, “San Antonio feels most like home as I have lived here the longest. But everywhere can be home the moment you unpack, make a tiny space that feels agreeable”. San Antonio is the inspiration behind many of her poems. Both roots and sense of place are major themes in her body of work. (via Wikipedia)
Bees Were Better
SNIPPET:
I studied bees, who were able
to convey messages through dancing
and could find their ways
home to their hives
even if someone put up a blockade of sheets
and boards and wire.