You may have heard the term “ecopoetry” and wondered what the heck is that. So what exactly is an ecopoem? A relatively new term with no precise definition, still evolving like life itself; but in general shares certain traits:
1.) Tends to be eco-centered rather than anthropocentric
2.) A nature poem that has designs on us to change the way we live and interact with the environment
3.) Instead of a romanticized nature as something apart from us to be worshiped on a pedestal, offers a science-based vision of a grander nature of which we are but one small part, and a sense of connection and wonder
4.) And perhaps most important, bears witness to our wanton destruction of this great web of life while suggesting possible futures
I will be offering a brief ecopoetry workshop via Zoom on Saturday, June 13, at 1 PM (Arizona time), as part of the Arizona State Poetry Society series. In this workshop we will first examine this relatively new kind of poem, still evolving like life itself, and what makes ecopoems different from nature poems. After discussing the work of some well-known ecopoets, we will then explore reasons for writing ecopoems as well as some strategies and prompts to help you begin. An extensive study guide with poems and a list of refernces for further reading will be provided a week or more in advance so participants can begin writing their own ecopoems. An open-ended and fun workshop. Here’s the flyer:
