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Poetry Prompt: Native Air

By Heather Eure 11 Comments

Poetry Prompt Native Air

In the opening verse of Ode on Solitude, the 18th century English poet Alexander Pope professed:

Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.

Considered one of his earliest poems, most likely written at the tender age of 12. Alexander felt contentedness is found on your own spot of grass, surrounded by familiar air.

***

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here is a Haiku from Natalie we enjoyed:

Cemetery spring
Spilling bouquets hide your name
Wind-blown and weeping

—by Natalie Salminen

POETRY PROMPT: Do you live in a fast-paced city, a small town, or is the expanse of a rural landscape your home? Write a poem about the area in which you live. The atmosphere. Your native air.

Photo by Lali Masriera. Creative Commons license via Flickr. Post by Heather Eure.

________________________

Sometimes we feature your poems in Every Day Poems, with your permission of course. Thanks for writing with us!

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Heather Eure
Heather Eure
Heather Eure has served as the Poetry Editor for the late Burnside Collective and Special Projects Editor for us at Tweetspeak Poetry. Her poems have appeared at Every Day Poems. Her wit has appeared just about everywhere she's ever showed up, and if you're lucky you were there to hear it.
Heather Eure
Latest posts by Heather Eure (see all)
  • Poetry Prompt: Misunderstood Lion - March 19, 2018
  • Animate: Lions & Lambs Poetry Prompt - March 12, 2018
  • Poetry Prompt: Behind the Velvet Rope - February 26, 2018

Filed Under: Air and Wind, Blog, poetry, poetry prompt, poetry teaching resources, Weather Poems, writing prompts

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Comments

  1. Dave Malone (@dzmalone) says

    March 31, 2015 at 6:11 am

    I love Natalie’s haiku. Superb!

    Reply
  2. Bethany R. says

    March 31, 2015 at 11:52 am

    Gorgeous haiku, Natalie Salminen.

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth W. Marshall says

    March 31, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    Well-done.
    So much power in three lines.
    Lovely, Natalie.
    Glad you are here.

    Reply
  4. Joy Lenton says

    April 4, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    I love Natalie’s haiku. Such a power-packed piece of inspirational poetry!
    And I’ve been inspired by the prompt above to offer my own take on the theme ‘Native air’. I live in Norfolk, UK and we have access to bustling city, busy industry and tranquil sea.
    ‘My native air’
    In a city not so far
    from the sea is a place
    where I live and breathe
    Its native air once rich
    with vanilla essence, chocolate
    assailing nostrils in the park
    Or laced with the leathery
    tang of footwear industry
    Today its fragrance
    is office-nondescript and clean
    Though often marred
    by stink of cars as petrol fumes
    emit their choking stream
    But if you travel
    just a little farther
    you will scent sea air
    A heady briny brew
    hangs in the atmosphere
    Yet no matter where I
    may rest and reside
    It’s in sweet fields of grace
    where my soul abides
    ©JoyLenton2015

    Reply
    • Katie says

      May 8, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Beautiful:)
      “A heady briny brew
      hangs in the atmosphere”
      Love your poem, Joy!

      Reply
  5. @pamcountonwords says

    April 4, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    I moved to Eastbourne, UK more than 20 years ago but I have never lost the sense of awe that living by the sea gave me on the very first day.

    The sea from the Channel maps and laps, crashes and mashes
    And pounds the shore.
    Gusty salt airs usher elderly pairs, teasing and pleasing, eroding their cares.
    They are young once more.
    On crunching drifts of grey stone flints that rubble and roll
    under waves’ advances,
    Sit teens set free, looking out to sea, sharing all they plan to be,
    Exchanging vows and earnest glances.
    The heavy scent of open blooms on Spanish brooms tells of Summer moons,
    And silvered paths beneath evergreen trees.
    As Shakespeare’s words are played, and hearts are swayed, with serenade
    In the secret garden lulled by the sea.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      May 8, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      So lovely!
      Thank you for sharing, Pam:)

      Reply
  6. Michael Garcia says

    April 4, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    Small Town, USA

    Tight knit people here aren’t quick to let you in
    despite the nature calling you back again and again;
    a stubborn people that’s clearly set in there ways
    against a place so poetic you’d want to live your days.

    Church cemeteries abound across the landscape,
    born and raised here it’s a life they can’t escape,
    its nostalgic surroundings appeal to my senses
    but I just can’t stay in a town with false pretenses.

    Copyright by NewLife2008

    Reply
  7. Jen says

    April 6, 2015 at 10:48 am

    I love this idea of “native air.” It’s not really a poem, but I wrote this… http://jenroseyokel.tumblr.com/post/115670454940/my-native-air

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Poetry Prompt: Native Air - | Poets & Write... says:
    March 30, 2015 at 9:10 am

    […] Explore a bit more closely, the atmosphere you call home. Join our community for this week's poetry prompt. Share, read, and be inspired.  […]

    Reply
  2. #NationalPoetryMonth Round-up (Day 6) | Bonespark~ says:
    April 6, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    […] Persona Poem prompt Writeshop’s Cinquain prompt NaPoWriMo’s “Aubade prompt” Tweetspeak’s “Native Air” Language is a Virus’ “Writing Prompt Generator” National Museum of the American […]

    Reply

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