Topics
Nature Writing is not about writing nature. Beyond writing the nature. Finding the “Other Poem”
Readings
Stay Black, Excerpt from Undrowned
Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude
Writing Prompts
Prompt 1:
Reflecting on Lorde’s poem think about what part of nature you hate the most? What do you see useless? Then write about what you can learn from it. How can you reframe what you see as ugly or monstrous?
Prompt 2:
Free write about a plant or animal that you are intrigued by.
What is it about this animal or plant that resonates with your own life? What lessons and insights can you gain from this animal/plant? How does this plant or animal help you make sense of the world?
Later: Research the animal/plant. How do they survive? How do they socialize and mate and stay connected? What are their quirks? What makes them so different than humans?
Prompt 3:
Inspired by Gay’s poem, write your own poem, essay, or reflection that is a catalogue of unabashed gratitude. What perhaps seemingly small things in nature or in the world do you want to say thank you to? What people or animals did you never get a chance to thank, when their presence transformed you?
Embodied nature writing workshop 