sunlight straggles ‘midst leafy canopies
dapples day old coals and dew-soaked chill
embraced in nature’s frieze
I know nothing about poetry in the true sense of the word. My college books taught me little beyond the fact that I know very little. As a whole, poetry is elusive to me. At times, it feels cramped and rigid in a way that defies my passion for all things soft, flowing, and raw.
Nature versus the manmade constructs that confine us to straight lines and inexplicable perfection.
Maybe that’s why the only poetry that feels right to me is the ode. Short and lyrical, introspective and not entirely bound by strict rules of rhyme and meter. Or maybe it’s just that writers love to follow their own paths–kind of like nature does–and the ode is a great place to do so.
Regardless, nature is a great space to exist in, particularly in the early morning solitude.
For those new to nature or wishing to learn more about how to enjoy the great outdoors, we have tons of books at the library that highlight everything from pocket guides identifying plants, rocks, and animals to travel and survival guides. Whether you like camping, hiking, bird-watching, or a weekend at the lake, we have a book (and maybe even a poem) for you.
- To learn more about odes, check out this sweet site on Literary Devices.
- What is a frieze? Find out here.
- Want to explore camping but don’t know where to start? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is chock full of great resources for new and advanced campers.
And always, your local library can point you in the right direction.
let your adventures begin~ jody
*professional poets may have been harmed by reading my ode. To them, I apologize.
