July is National Parks and Recreation Month!




🌲 July Joy: Celebrating National Parks Through Poetry

July isn’t just about fireworks and summer sun; it’s also National Park and Recreation Month, a time to pause, step outside, and experience nature in all its glory.

Whether you’re hiking through a state forest, pausing by a still lake, or simply sitting under the shade of a tree in your neighborhood park, nature offers endless inspiration, and poetry helps us capture that wonder.

🍃 Why Nature and Poetry Go Hand in Hand

Nature is a poem already in motion. It speaks in the language of birdcalls, rustling leaves, wildflowers, and sunsets. Writing poetry about nature allows us to reflect, connect, and find peace in the world around us.

This month, I invite you to let the outdoors awaken your creative spirit.

✍🏾 Tips for Writing Nature Poetry:

Inspired by Writer's Relief's guide, here are a few ways to get started:

  • Observe closely: What do you hear, smell, and feel? Go beyond just “trees” or “sky”, what textures, rhythms, or moods do they hold?

  • Use vivid imagery: Paint the scene with your words. Make your reader feel like they’re standing right beside you.

  • Explore emotion: Nature often mirrors our emotions, from calm to chaos, rebirth, and stillness. Let that guide your lines.

  • Let nature lead: Sometimes, it’s not about a big message. It’s about presence. Let the wind or the water speak for you.

🌿 Nature-Inspired Poems to Read

Looking for inspiration? The Academy of American Poets offers a beautiful selection of nature poems. Here are a few I recommend:

  • “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry

  • “Sleeping in the Forest” by Mary Oliver

  • “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

Each of these poems reminds us of the healing power of the natural world.

Use July to celebrate all that our parks have to offer.

Let nature fill your lungs and your lines.

Here’s to wild beauty, quiet trails, and poetry waiting under every stone.

Your Pensive Poet,

SSS




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