Writing on Nature & the Ecological Crisis
Welcome back to our "Plots and Plants" series on personal connections to place. This week, John Freeman shares a favorite walk in the Vale of Glamorgan, detailing the landscape changes due to recent weather. A nearby wildfire, unusual for March, raises concerns about climate change's impact on local environments.
For our series of poets and writers on the environment, Julie Runacres discusses her poetry's relationship with herbalism, women, and nature, while highlighting the significance of concrete forms in enhancing meaning and addressing societal perceptions of women and ecology. Read on for more.
In this interview, Lesley Curwen discusses her writing process, particularly in relation to nature and ocean pollution. Her poem "Night on the Yealm" captures a quiet moment on a sailing trip, highlighting immersion in nature. Curwen reflects on the balance between human concerns and nature's forces, emphasizing gratitude and contemplation. Read on for the poem and intriguing interview.
In this interview series on #MoreThanHuman, poet Claire Williamson discusses her connections to Wimbleball Lake, a man-made reservoir marking a lost community. She reflects on themes of grief, nature’s resilience, and magic realism in her poetry, emphasizing the transformative power of the environment and the importance of letting nature evolve organically. Check out this moving poem and discussion!
This interview features poet Rahana K. Ismail discussing her work and the theme of the more-than-human. Ismail emphasizes fluidity in language and places a strong focus on emotion, connection, and the intricacies of life. Her poem "Bottle" exemplifies this approach, blending personal and collective experiences while exploring themes of love and existence in particular environments. Can language be compared to a jungle? Find out more in this mind-expanding interview.
This news post is to let you know that Tŷ Newydd and Literature Wales will offer (in May 2025) a course focused on climate writing, where students will creatively engage with environmental injustices through fiction and non-fiction. Guided by award-winning climate activists Tom Bullough and Nicola Davies, participants will learn to craft inspiring and meaningful written pieces. Find out more at this post.
Here is a poem and interview with Dyfan Lewis, filmed alongside the river Taff, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Funded by the Books Council Wales, Modron is a literary magazine in response to the ecological crisis the world faces today. Please visit the website to read the rest of the magazine and find out more about poetry … Continue reading Ffilm: Cerdd gan Dyfan Lewis, Film: A Poem by Dyfan Lewis
Rosie Angwin's A Spell in the Forest blends mythology, spirituality, and creative tasks to foster a deeper connection with trees. Sarah Bitter explores the book, noting that while the interdisciplinary approach may not resonate with everyone, it invites contemplation on nature amid ecological crises. Read on to hear more about how the book encourages reverence for trees as sacred and offers insights for nurturing environmental relationships.
In Issue 5 of Modron, reflections on winter storms highlight the vulnerability of nature and humanity. The editorial addresses global crises, emphasizing the importance of witnessing struggles, particularly in Palestine. It features poetry that intertwines human experience with nature, celebrating linguistic diversity and offering new translations in Welsh alongside original works.
This is an interview with Duriel E. Harris, an acclaimed American poet and editor of Obsidian, discussing her works and the importance of art in response to global conflicts. Harris reflects on joy amid adversity and the potential of writing to provoke change, emphasizing resilience in the face of violence.
Modron Magazine 