place reading
worn paths, rubbed bark, tree growths
wonder marks
motion watching
land travel, cloud forms, sun’s sky track
movement transforms
earth smelling
fungi emerge, leaves decay, branches rot
time changes
slow tasting
berry picked, nuts gathered, apple munched
tongue memory
nature writing
mud sticks, scratch messages, carved rocks
etched ideas
outdoor learning
trees walls, sky ceiling, soil floor
room for all
A summary of why being outside matters: for children, educators, everyone. From many of my hospital rooms I could see a primary school where I used to work. Watching playtimes - it seemed a whole world away from being in a hospital room.
September 2023 is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. It is also Child Cancer Awareness Month. Every day 10 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. Of those lucky enough to survive, many will have long-term side-effects that may significantly impact their lives forever.
I am posting one poem per day to recognise this and raise money for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. This charity provides sailing and other outdoor adventures for children and young people aged 8-24 who have been treated for cancer. But it’s more than that. There’s a package of support around this including siblings, return trips, volunteering opportunities and so on. The Trust also works hard to ensure their work is environmentally sustainable. You can make a donation HERE!
Thank you, a good one is this….well they all are you talented lady…
when we are indoors, we look out…..the sky, clouds move, wind in the trees, rain - it’s kind of a liminal state, our brain can see it all, our heart feels the outside, memories, we close our eyes, but it’s just not enough for some of us….. it’s a let’s get physical with the sun , air, rain, scents, life outdoors.
So enjoying how your poetry encourages thinking. 😘
So true Juliet. After a few days in France after long hard work hours and family worries, rediscovering cycling by vineyards, for the first time since my teens, I have regained some perspective. Picked pears, read in a hammock and kayaked too. Big love to you ❤️