For Covid Lockdown 3.0, prepare to touch the thawing ground for our poems. Watch 9 nature documentaries while locating different species of animals on our bodies. For birds caress our shoulders for their wings whenever we see them on the screen. We can slide a hand down our legs for fish fins and tails. Think of where you want mammals, reptiles, insects, and amphibians on the body, and each time they appear in the film, bring them onto ourselves for the poems we write. Let’s also find places on our bodies for mountains, deserts, rivers, oceans, forests, snow, dirt, fire. Take notes for the poem.
Several times during each film, pause it to study the image of wilderness caught on camera. Each time, let’s ask the questions, “What did we humans learn from what I am seeing? Has this creature influenced our customs, beliefs, or technology? Has our relationship with other creatures improved human life? Has the relationship been as beneficial to the animals? What am I doing to protect our shared natural world?” Take more notes for the poem.
Let this be the first step toward building a new poetry ritual for the spring.
