Nature Poetry

Pastoral

Poems about shepherds, herders, animals on the farm, country life, rural settings.These poems are charming, simple & serene, like a painting of the country side.Rolling green hills, flocks of sheep…

This is a pastoral painting. Imagine a poem about this scene…

BucolicPastoral poems, but instead of dealing with peasants and farmers, the subjects are wealthy people in the countryside

Setting is rural

This might be about land-owners or important people overseeing their territory.

EclogueBrief poem.Dramatic poem.Often written as a dialogue – between two shepherds, perhaps.A type of Pastoral poem.Often about urban topics – while the poem is set in the countryside, it can be about social issues or politics.

IdyllHappy, peaceful poemIdealized setting & subjectOften unrealistic – more of a fantasy or utopiaPicturesqueSimple poemDescribes peaceful country life

Idyll Siegfried Sassoon

In the grey summer garden I shall find you With day-break and the morning hills behind you. There will be rain-wet roses; stir of wings; And down the wood a thrush that wakes and sings. Not from the past you’ll come, but from that deepWhere beauty murmurs to the soul asleep: And I shall know the sense of life re-born From dreams into the mystery of morn Where gloom and brightness meet. And standing there Till that calm song is done, at last we’ll shareThe league-spread, quiring symphonies that are Joy in the world, and peace, and dawn’s one star.

EkphrasisMeans “description” in Greek- Poems with vivid descriptions of scenes- Often describing works of art-Heavy with IMAGERY-

Ekphrastic poems are written about urns, topiaries, mountains, the moon, a fountain, a wave, photographs…

SynesthesiaBlending or intermingling of different senses in description.Taste shapes, smell or hear colors, see sounds touch emotions – a mixing of the five senses in poetry – Sound, Smell, Taste, Touch, Sight… “Your name tastes like purple”

Describe a sound as having a color - “yellow music”Describe a color or shape as having a taste - “sweet purple” or “sour circle” or “tasting the universe”Describe an emotion with a scent - “fragrant happiness”Describe visually smells or sounds – “the stench sat on the table” or “the perfume screamed at me” or “the chirp of the squirrel walked along the trail”