A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year

Synopsis

365 poems celebrating nature and the changing seasons.

This is the perfect bedside companion for any nature or poetry fan, featuring famous odes from big-name poets alongside unsung poems from less-well-known writers.

Each poem is chosen to chime with the natural world through the seasons. Spring is a time of hope, a season of new life with William Wordsworth's daffodils, John Clare's lambs and Christina Rossetti's birdsong. Summer shifts into a time of leisure with long idyllic holidays in the countryside. According to Henry James, the two most beautiful words in the English language were 'summer afternoon', a sentiment echoed by Edward Thomas and Emily Dickinson. John Keats, William Blake and W. H. Auden are the poets we associate with autumn and this is possibly the most poetic season. The natural world, and the human one, hold onto the last lingering memories of summer before they turn to face the oncoming hardships of winter. Amy Lowell and George Meredith perfectly frame this time of year with their silver-fringed leaves and crimson berries. Winter can be savoured in poetry, rather than endured; bleak grey days are transformed into a world of glittering frost and snow-blanketed landscapes. Even in the darkest days life continues and soon we can turn our attention to the rebirth of spring.

A wonderful collection of poems that help mark the daily turn of the seasons and all the rituals marking the significant moments of the year, from Candlemas to Christmas.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Turning of the Year

This chapter celebrates the cyclical nature of the year, from the winter solstice to the autumn equinox.

* Example: "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost evokes the tranquility of the winter woods, marking a moment of reflection and peace.

Chapter 2: The Song of Birds

This chapter showcases poems that capture the melodious sounds of birds.

* Example: "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats transports the reader into a realm of ethereal beauty through the song of a nightingale.

Chapter 3: The Whispering of Trees

The rustling leaves and swaying branches of trees inspire poems that evoke a sense of awe and wonder.

* Example: "The Oakwood" by Walter de la Mare depicts the ancient wisdom and strength held within the heart of an ancient oak tree.

Chapter 4: The Flowing of Waters

This chapter celebrates the transformative power of water, from gentle streams to cascading waterfalls.

* Example: "The Brook" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson captures the lively journey of a brook, symbolizing the passage of time and the interconnectedness of all things.

Chapter 5: The Breath of the Wind

The wind's unseen presence is explored through poems that convey its energy, mystery, and influence.

* Example: "Wind on the Island" by Emily Dickinson evokes the solitude and restlessness of a windy island, revealing the wind's power to both isolate and connect.

Chapter 6: The Touch of the Sun

This chapter explores poems that illuminate the warmth, brightness, and life-giving properties of the sun.

* Example: "Summer" by William Blake celebrates the abundance and joy of the summer season, with the sun's rays illuminating the earth's beauty.

Chapter 7: The Dance of the Moon

The changing phases of the moon inspire poems that explore its ethereal presence and influence on our emotions.

* Example: "The Moon" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow personifies the moon as a silent wanderer, casting its gentle glow upon the world.

Chapter 8: The Symphony of the Seasons

This chapter combines poems from all the previous chapters, celebrating the interconnectedness of the seasons and the beauty of the natural world throughout the year.

* Example: "Nature's Calendar" by John Clare captures the subtle shifts in nature as the seasons change, from the first signs of spring to the fading of autumn leaves.