Language of Flowers

In this writing exercise, we will be investigating the language assigned to the species around us: the plants, animals, trees, geographical formations, etc. You may start by going out into the nature nearby , and spending 10 minutes freewriting about what you observe. After you are finished writing, take photographs, or sketch with notes, the various species. If you are not able to access nature directly, you can write about the nature outside your window, or look at photographs or videos of natural areas near you.

Then, select 2-4 species to focus on for the rest of the exercise. Identify each species and conduct research for each, including the species' many names, habits, life cycles, etc. For each of the species, freewrite for a few minutes how you, or parts of you, are like or unlike that species. What characteristics do you share or not share? How do you wish you were like them, or what about that species serves as warning?

Poems to Read:

• Camille T. Dungy, “this beginning may have always meant this end”
• Janice N. Harrington, “Wind Shear”
• Jeffrey Yang, “The Grass”
• Khaty Xiong, “On Visiting the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens”

Questions to consider, on your own in writing, or in discussion with others:

• What language does the poet use to name the species of plants and animals in the poem? Are these familiar or unfamiliar terms? If unfamiliar, what images do these words bring to mind? What sounds do those names provide?
• What images are specific in this poem? Which are more general? What is the effect of each?
• In each poem, how would you describe the speaker’s relationship to the natural species in the poem? Does the speaker identify with these species, and if so, how?
• What changes from the beginning of the poem to the end?

Assignment:
Write a poem about 2-4 species of your surrounding area. The poem should be from the point of view of a specific person (maybe you, maybe not), and incorporate the many names of each species and other researched details.