My daughter wrote a poem for English recently titled Secrets of the forest. She asked me to read it and before I had finished, she asked if I liked it.
As I read her poem I thought, wow that’s really amazing. But it wasn’t until I read the notes explaining the words and meaning behind the poem that it really stuck me how important it is to share the magic of nature with our children.
Pausing to admire a sunset, gathering herbs, or walking barefoot on the earth, are all ways we learn that nature is something to be cherished and admired.
If we look outside today we are reminded that we are currently in one of the most beautiful times of the year. Nature is beginning to bloom, with an abundance of flowers, bees, birds and young animals.
New life, renewal and Spring are normally associated with Easter. If we lived in the Northern Hemisphere this would align with the seasons, but being on the opposite side of the globe these traditions are out of sync with nature.
Currently in Australia we are six months away from the date we officially celebrate Easter. Instead, we are approaching Spring Equinox (also known as Ostara) where there is equal day and night, before we head towards Summer and long sunny days.
The names Easter and Ostara have their origins associated with spring – The Germanic goddess of spring and dawn was named Ēastre, and the Old Norse word for East is “Ost”, representing dawn in a new day.
Looking at the wheel of the year, we are moving anticlockwise upwards in what would be east on a compass – the direction the sun rises at dawn.
If we then overlay the wheel with the stages of life Spring represents the Maiden – the young lady beginning to blossom.
That brings me all the way back to my daughter’s poem, which I would like to share with you - as well as her notes explaining the meaning behind the words (she obviously has her dads writing ability!)
Secrets of the forest
Whispers carried by the wind dance through the air,
The soft fog illuminated by the moon.
Weaving through the trees, alive.
The circle I am near.
Deep in the heart, beating strong,
I can feel it in my soul.
The energy pulsing all around, alive.
The circle I am near.
The vines wrap around like a loving embrace,
The feeling, I hold close in my heart.
The leaves dance in the wind, alive.
The circle I am here.
Pip O’Neil
My poem ‘Secrets of the Forest’ is about belonging in and feeling connected with nature. I chose to write in free verse, as it gave me more freedom and creativity, also because I wanted to try something new.
In my poem I use the rule of three, as it gives my message a stronger impact, and allows for the build up of the line ‘The circle I am near’ before the final line ‘The circle I am here’ showing the journey and the final destination.
I also use repetition by using the word ‘alive’ at the end of the third line in each stanza. This reinforces that being in nature makes me feel alive, as well as suggesting that the forest itself is alive.
I use the term ‘circle’ because, similar to the round table, a circle means that there is no one in front or behind you; everyone is equal. It also creates a sense of unity and belonging in something bigger than yourself, like how everyone is interconnected to the vast web of nature. A circle is also associated with a gathering or meeting place, which in my poem represents a place where you belong.
In the first stanza, I use symbolism and personification in the first line ‘Whispers carried by the wind dance through the air’. ‘Dance’ is associated with movement and energy, so it helps convey that being in nature makes me feel alive. In the second line, I use a warm and comforting tone in the term ‘soft fog’ to show that I feel safe and supported in nature.
In the second stanza, in the line ‘Deep in the heart, beating strong’ heart symbolises love, representing my love of nature. Heart also means the middle of the forest, which is often associated with a mysterious ancient place where humanity hasn’t touched. The second and third lines ‘I can feel it in my soul, The energy pulsing all around, alive.’, represent how being deep in nature creates a special feeling of happiness.