Last Commented Nature Poems (1,977)

Clear sky of blue and clouds of white
Bathed by sunshine above
Create such a beautiful sight
Instilling feelings of love

Lighting up the greenery below
Of the trees, grasses and plants
Giving them an enchanting glow
Setting the stage for romance

The ripples on the nearby lake
Stirred up by a gentle breeze
Invite the viewer to partake
With feelings of peace and ease

Such samples of Nature's nectar
Are free to each one of us
We are all a part of Nature
and Nature is part of us

all the sands from the beaches
were grains of gold in her eye
though we marched across her breast in tiny boats
her mind was still as glass and reflected sky

Biting Cold

It was a freezing night in Alaska, the temperature had
dropped to well below zero, fifteen below with a driving
wind that shrieked and laughed as it sped viciously past
causing lashing snow flakes to fall fast and furiously.

Up in the high mountains the man shook his head
as he stoked up the fire causing the flames to dance
creating shadows on the sod hut's walls. They seemed
to move with a life of their own. Forming first a pattern
a fleeting glimpse of a unicorn or so he thought. He needed
the storm to pass by so he could check out his many traps.

He was working two lines this winter for pine martin with
the odd trap for Lynx and wolverine who were a bane
always robbing his traps of his fur. He also had traps
deep in the river by the beaver's dams, the price of their
fur was sky high this year. He needed to hunt for more
meat too as his freezer was nearly empty and it would
be a long two months before the thaw and he could get
supplies flown in. Turning in he slept well waking to find
the storm was tailing off, quickly he got things ready.

Daylight was a brief five hours this time of year and
one was already gone. He worked the line nearest to
his hut first gathering up the furs and resetting the traps.
It was so tranquil now, the spruces stretched up high
seeming to touch the sky shedding the odd pile of snow
from laden branches that drooped with the weight.

Picking up some deer tracks that were fresh he followed.
Soon spotting some elk high up on the next ridge he
climbed around to get into position. He lined up his
sights on a healthy male and took a clean shot
dropping it in its tracks. Quickly he field dressed it
taking the hide and meat leaving the rest for the
various predators that were already gathering.

At least it was mainly downhill to what he called
home. Striding on as darkness started to fall
he soon was home and now the work began.
He have several furs to skin, stretch and pin
out to dry, others that now needed more
work, scraping carefully he removed and smoothed
the hides and hung them on frames in his smoke room
to colour and cure. Then he had his dogs to feed before
he himself could also eat. It had been a long hard day.

He now had a moment to reflect and gave thanks to
the elk who had died so he and his dogs could eat.
This would be his life for the next few weeks, then he
would take his furs to town to sell. He would be glad to
see his family again it would be nearly five months
since he was last home and over three since he had spoken
to another soul. Yet he would not give up this way of life.

The last thing he did before he flew out was to dismantle
his sod hut and burn the remains on the iced up river
removing all signs that he had been here. Next winter he
would build another in a different place and life would go on.

Alone I sit
staring at the cold grey sky
All around
winter's handiwork
so silent
so beautiful
fills the land

Drifting lazily upwards
pillars of smoke
rise ghost-like
from the chimneys

On the ground below
the freshly fallen snow
so quiet, so fragile
instils deep peace
within my soul

Standing alone in the distance
a church steeple
points majestically towards the sky
in silent testimony
of its God

Nothing stirs -
the sparrows have gone to bed
this cold winter's evening
dreaming pleasant dreams
of tomorrow's spring
when new life will take form
in Nature's world
or perhaps they dream
of yesterday's summer
when they flitted happily
from tree to tree
dancing in the sunshine
so happy to be alive
and free

Yet, dream on
my little friends
for even while you dream
cold winter must reign
a little while longer
still blessing the earth
with her deep silent beauty
--- as now the snow begins to fall
once more








(I wrote this piece in the late 1960s
when I was a university student
in Winnipeg, Canada.)

All in nature is round not square,
life moves in round cycles.
Planets, sun and moon are round
even the winds move in circles.

Yet we humans choose a square life
we sleep in square beds in square rooms.
We eat in square rooms, relax in square rooms
go to work in square buildings sit at square desks.

We are so out of kilter with nature
whose rhymes flow in circles.
Yet we ignore her ways and live
such very square lives in square buildings.

Why? because we invented furniture.
So much easier to arrange in square rooms.
We let comfort dictate how we live
even to the point of ill health.

Do we really need these nice but modern things?
We sacrifice our well being to be like the Smiths and Jones.
How much room do we really need?
Somewhere to sit, eat and sleep is all really needed.
Yet we continue to build massive buildings.

Taking land that could be better used
to grow our food, for what? To make
us feel more important! To show off
to our neighbours all we have.

Live by natures ways and a sense
of peace and purpose fills our days.
Indians knew better with their tepees
they lived as one with nature.

Old ways make far more sense
and for fill us far more than a square.
To be at peace and in tune with nature
allow yourself to live a rounded life.

Keep on singing, bird.
I cannot see you
as I sit enclosed
by the four walls of my room.
But I do not need to see you
with my eyes.
Your song goes to the centre
of my being
making me ever aware of
the kinship of my spirit
with yours.
I do not hear you anymore.
Perhaps you have flown away.
But the vibrations
that your song has set up
within my soul
will go on
like the never-ending waves
of the ocean.
Thank you, bird!

the smell of eucalypt fills the air
never before have i been so aware
filling my lungs and soothing my soul
a calmness blankets me and makes me whole

the intensity is quite unique
memories flood in until they peak
how many times has that scent procured
a reaction only to the one i endured

my nose a prostitute for many a smell
plenty of such would send me to hell
but here in this valley is the beauty of life
overwhelming me without any strife

i ponder from ......where it came
never worrying .....just the same
for there standing tall in a line
somebody's effort growing fine

a line of eucalypts growing tall
all blossoming as i can recall
magic bees doing there thing
amongst all the other trees that sing

this is truly a lovely sight
my smell engrossed with all it's might
i feel apart of earth's core
appreciation of nature i truly adore ......

Days of rapid change
four seasons give a range
Rain hails from dull grey skies
until full summer's high

Confusion, stirring thoughts
of what a season brought
Who can dismiss promises of spring,
when hopes dances and nature sings

As breezes flutter instead of flow
unlike winter, with gale force blow
Spring showers that can sprinkle
speckled sunshine, fades and twinkles

A morning chill, until warm mid-day
when children laugh when at play
Until late afternoon, cooling down
brings bleaker skies, a night is found

We experience, four season in a day
Till summer settled, gifts autumn hay
Herald of season, a winter's scene
Nature splendid, in tones of green.

As we approach, a changing time
Joys of springtime, crossing lines
Hope is welcomed, with open hearts
From nature's creature, as well as plants.

I will be dancing in the wind laughing like a child.
Not knowing when last I felt this wild.
I don't want to drink I don't want to talk.
Don't want to think don't bother me at all.
It feels good to just let go.
No cares in the world.
Just me and the wind.

Darkness comes and day light goes.
Its been to long since I danced in the wind.
Life's not fair but now it is my turn.
So I'll just be dancing in the wind. Laughing like a child.
It feels good to act this wild.
Stars all around and the moons a glow.
I'm at peace and the feeling shows.

Somewhere, it is snowing... fluffy, white like the down from some giant pillow,
like huge white fans that have fallen from the hands of a celestial dweller,
like the purest soapflakes, dropping endlessly, softly inching their way down to meet the once barren earth that now mounds with their presence.

In the distance crows call raucously, announcing their hunt for whatever can be found to meet their growing needs,
one family in their constant hope and vigilance,
always searching for the grain of sustenance to carry them another
heartbeat along life's journey.

The snow continues, now heavier, not heeding the calls of the crows,
not finding an end to its time...
always gliding,
whirling gently,
as it answers to its name....
Snow