There have been more recent critiques of wilderness ideas coming through, for instance, the framework of disability studies. The British poet Polly Atkin has a wonderful piece called, ‘Why is a Poem Always a Walk?’ Really asking, probing this idea of how so much nature writing and nature poetry is premised on walking. And what if walking isn’t your predominant ambulation for getting around?

Dr. Jenny Kerber

We’ve reviewed a few approaches to interpreting ecocriticism, but how can we reimagine nature?

Nature is apart of us, and we’re apart of it. Reimagining nature doesn’t mean picturing ourselves talking to a tree in a story while we’re taking a walk at a local park. It means recreating nature as a whole, re-envisioning what nature means to us, and reconsidering how ecocritical narratives can reshape our daily encounters like the relationships we have, routines we follow, identities we recognize, and more.

Check out the YouTube video and the reflection prompts below to view how poetry helps us to reimagine nature through our own emotions and experiences.

---

Reflection Prompts

Consider the below prompts before continuing to explore!