Tweetspeak Poetry

  • Home
  • FREE prompts
  • Earth Song
  • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • Teaching Tools
  • Books, Etc.
  • Patron Love

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!

Browse Air and Wind
Browse more Poetry Prompts
Browse more Poetry Teaching Resources

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
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

Get Every Day Poems...

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

For the Writer in You

Take How to Read a Poem

Get the Introduction, the Billy Collins poem, and Chapter 1

get the sample now

Welcome to Tweetspeak

New to Tweetspeak Poetry? Start here, in The Mischief Café. You're a regular? Check out our October Menu.

Patron Love

❤️

Welcome a little patron love, when you help keep the world poetic.

Your Comments

  • Poet Laura: Goodbye—and Hello! - Tweetspeak Poetry on The Mischief Cafe: Basking Ridge, New Jersey
  • Bethany R. on From A to Z, the Abecedarian Isn’t Just for Chaucer—Poetry Prompt!
  • Lois Perch Villemaire on From A to Z, the Abecedarian Isn’t Just for Chaucer—Poetry Prompt!
  • Lois Perch Villemaire on From A to Z, the Abecedarian Isn’t Just for Chaucer—Poetry Prompt!

Join the Year of the Monarch

How to Write Poetry

Featured In

We're happy to have been featured in...

The Huffington Post

The Paris Review

The New York Observer

Tumblr Book News

Stay in Touch With Us

Categories

Learn to Write Form Poems

How to Write an Acrostic

How to Write a Ballad

How to Write a Catalog Poem

How to Write a Ghazal

How to Write a Haiku

How to Write an Ode

How to Write a Pantoum

How to Write a Rondeau

How to Write a Sestina

How to Write a Sonnet

How to Write a Villanelle

5 FREE POETRY PROMPTS

Get 5 FREE inbox poetry prompts from the popular book How to Write a Poem

Shakespeare Resources

Poetry Classroom: Sonnet 18

Common Core Picture Poems: Sonnet 73

Sonnet 104 Annotated

Sonnet 116 Annotated

Character Analysis: Romeo and Juliet

Character Analysis: Was Hamlet Sane or Insane?

Why Does Hamlet Wait to Kill the King?

10 Fun Shakespeare Resources

About Shakespeare: Poet and Playwright

Top 10 Shakespeare Sonnets

See all 154 Shakespeare sonnets in our Shakespeare Library!

Explore Work From Black Poets

About Us

  • • A Blessing for Writers
  • • Annual Theme 2022: Perspective
  • • Annual Theme 2021: Generous
  • • Our Story
  • • Meet Our Team
  • • Literary Citizenship
  • • Poet Laura
  • • Poetry for Life: The 5 Vital Approaches
  • • T. S. Poetry Press – All Books
  • • Contact Us

Write With Us

  • • 5 FREE Poetry Prompts-Inbox Delivery
  • • 30 Days to Richer Writing Workshop
  • • Poetry Prompts
  • • Submissions
  • • The Write to Poetry

Read With Us

  • • All Our Books
  • • Book Club
  • • Every Day Poems—Subscribe! ✨
  • • Literacy Extras
  • • Poems to Listen By: Audio Series
  • • Poet-a-Day
  • • Poets and Poems
  • • 50 States Projects
  • • Charlotte Perkins Gilman Poems Library
  • • Edgar Allan Poe Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Blake Poems Arts & Experience Library
  • • William Shakespeare Sonnet Library

Celebrate With Us

  • • Poem on Your Pillow Day
  • • Poetic Earth Month
  • • Poet in a Cupcake Day
  • • Poetry at Work Day
  • • Random Acts of Poetry Day
  • • Take Your Poet to School Week
  • • Take Your Poet to Work Day

Gift Ideas

  • • Every Day Poems
  • • Our Shop
  • • Everybody Loves a Book!

Connect

  • • Donate
  • • Blog Buttons
  • • By Heart
  • • Shop for Tweetspeak Fun Stuff

Copyright © 2023 Tweetspeak Poetry · FAQ, Disclosure & Privacy Policy

We serve poetry with our cookies. Because that's the way it should be.
We serve poetry with your cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you... accept the cookies with a smile.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
update cookie prefs

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT