At the end of January, we met with local poet Emma Williams to read some poems related to the river (and nature itself). Throughout our meeting time we discussed various poems such as “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver, “Riprap” by Gary Snyder and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes.
We also read an article (“The Case for Going Uncivilized” by Barry Lopez) based on one man’s perspective of the land being destroyed and taken away. In this story, We met a man named Berry, who grew up with the land. He would hike and play as a child but now all he does reminisce on the times he shared with the trees and land. He says “Like every animal in these woods, I’m adapting. I’m playing the cards I’ve been dealt”. In Berry’s lines, he says how times have changed, and like Mother Earth, we must adapt to our environment.
The fellows ended our session with Ms. Williams, with the assignment of writing our own poetry. We said our goodbyes and went on to write.
