Earth Poems: An Invitation is six weeks of writing prompts, readings, outdoor activities, and community centered around deepening our connection to the natural world through poetry and attention. We’ll do some deep dives into the language of plants and animals, explore nature’s mysteries, and consider our questions for the planet and ourselves. The structure is asynchronous, with materials delivered weekly via email, so that participants can move at their own pace. Through poems, we’ll play, marvel, wonder, and create.
Who can sign up?
All are (very!) welcome, including but not limited to:
poets (both experienced and brand-new)
writers who usually work in other genres
people who used to write but haven’t for a long time
scientists
birders
gardeners
hikers
stargazers
teachers
people who get distracted by clouds
people who say “look at this leaf!”
anyone interested in playing at the intersection of language & nature
How does it work?
Each week, participants will receive (via email):
a poem prompt
links to readings (poems, articles, and assorted miscellany)
a suggested “backyard field trip”
a conservation resource for taking concrete action
Every Saturday morning, participants are invited to a weekly virtual check-in session to share creative work and be in community. These 45-minute Zoom sessions will be held at 9:00 AM Eastern.
When does it start?
Earth Poems: An Invitation will run from January 23rd to February 27th.
How much does it cost?
The cost is $65 for the full six-week session. If cost is a barrier, several free spots are available; please email studioandcraftinfo@gmail.com.
Do I need to be an experienced poet to participate?
No! The subtitle is “An Invitation” because all are welcome. The writing prompts are adaptable for all experience levels and can be modified however you wish. Participants will have the opportunity to share their work with one another, but will never be required or pressured to do so. Whatever way you prefer to engage with the prompts and materials is the right way.
Who’s running this?
That’s me, Catherine Pierce (hello!). I’ve long been deeply invested in our planet’s wonders and perils, and have been writing at that intersection of joy and fear for a long time. I also take lots of pictures of mushrooms and am easily distracted by clouds. My poems on climate and the natural world include “Anthropocene Pastoral,” “Planet,” and “Earth, Sometimes I Try to Play it Casual”; my work has been anthologized in All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, Attached to the Living World: A New Eco-Poetry Anthology, The Nature of Our Times, Here: Poems for the Planet; and elsewhere, and has been featured on programs including Living On Earth and The Slowdown. You can learn more about me here. I’d love to write and wonder alongside you this winter.
