Write a poem about an experience in your life in which nature was the teacher:
This poem is about the recent bushfires in Australia and how humanity as a whole should learn from such a tragedy. Nature in this context teaches us that we should live simpler lives and treat the land with respect and care. A couple of months ago I went to a lookout in the Blue Mountains and was so in awe of nature’s beauty that the second I left I was already planning my next trip back. A couple of weeks later I went back to the same spot, only to see that it was closed off. It had been ruined by the bushfires.
I drive down the rocky roads; music loud and heavenly.
The trees humming in the wind.
The birds harmonise with it’s melody.
I take my seat upon this rock and cannot help but grin,
For the sun kisses my cheeks and it is the perfect remedy.
The birds don’t cheep.
The wind stands still.
The sun goes to sleep.
It’s time for me to leave, but return I will.
I drive down the rocky roads; music loud and-
Fire Danger Rating: Extreme
A ghastly orange shadow devours the land’s soul.
The forest that once sung now screams,
Shouting at us for what we stole.
Literature with Anna 
Hi Anna, I really liked your poem ‘The Orange Mountains’ about the recent bushfires. The devastation to our land is really a big message from nature about our treatment towards the earth. I really appreciated that you added pictures as well that show the intensity of the fires and drastic impact. Despite you mentioning the sound of the birds and trees, the first image looks so peaceful, quiet and calm; whereas the second photo really resembles the screaming and anger you mention. It’s really powerful. I look forward to any other poems you write for blogs in the future too!
– Lilly 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anna, I felt your poem, The Orange Mountains, was very relevant to what most of us in Australia have been experiencing these past few months. You managed to imbue your writing with the sense of familiarity and wonder, along with loss. Juxtaposing the change in the second stanza and the use of short, concise lines really brings a jolt to the reader, shocking them into feeling what you felt. The lines that particularly stood out to me were: “A ghastly orange shadow devours the land’s soul. / The forest that once sung now screams.” The use of ‘screams’ caught me, particularly because of the reports of animals, particularly the koalas, screaming when the bush fires raged. Your words choice with ‘devours’ was powerful as it made the shadow like some sort of daemon, burning the life out of the forest. The addition of the photos personalised your poem and added to the sense of loss and dread. Overall, it was a fantastic blog and poem, I can’t wait to see what else you write!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anna- this is a powerful and sobering poem with a real environmental message. I loved the last line especially. Structurally I can see that you were moving towards a rhythmic and rhymed structure. Maybe you would be able to write more freely if you worked with free verse, not confining yourself to the need of regular line lengths and searching for possible rhymes. Try it for next time? But all good!
MG
LikeLike