Exploring the Harmony Between Gardens and Poetry

Tess Taylor, the author of several poetry collections, including “Work & Days” and “Rift Zone,” also serves as the editor of the anthology “Leaning Toward Light: Poems for Gardens & the Hands That Tend Them.” The following opinions are solely hers. Find more viewpoints on CNN.

One morning, while tending to our small front yard garden after enduring a harsh second winter, I spotted a lone monarch butterfly fluttering among our plum blossoms - a rare sight in a time when monarch populations are dwindling to record lows.

Tess Taylor

Tess Taylor

I went outside to take care of the yard work - raking leaves, adding compost, and weeding the artichokes growing in the strip between the sidewalk and the street. I was feeling a bit impatient and grumpy as I worked.

As I was working, I made some pleasant discoveries. The rhubarb was starting to grow back, the tree collards were sprouting, and our Thai basil had survived the winter. I also found out that the shiso plant, which I thought had died in the fall after a failed experiment, was actually thriving with 10 new sprouts.

It was a nice surprise to see the progress of our plants and to realize that some of them had persevered despite my initial doubts.

I felt a sense of calm as the butterfly fluttered by, appreciating its delicate beauty and thinking about its long journey. Coming back inside, I was thankful for the emotional depth I had discovered within myself and in the world around me. This sense of peace allowed me to focus on my writing, especially when crafting poems.

In a chaotic world, I find solace in gardens and poetry. They provide a moment of pause, guiding me to appreciate the simple joys of life on our fragile and threatened planet. This year, I have been reflecting on how gardens and poems both offer important opportunities for connection and introspection.

Both provide us with the opportunity to recognize the beauty and complex sorrow that comes with witnessing a single butterfly navigating a rapidly changing environment. They serve as a reminder of our interconnectedness and our innate desire for beauty, even in the face of a world filled with violence, intolerance, and conflict. Engaging in these activities can serve as a small yet significant way to redirect our focus amidst the chaos of politics and environmental distress. In fact, when feeling overwhelmed by weariness, fear, or hopelessness, I have two simple suggestions for Earth Day, which also happens to be National Poetry Month: start a garden (even if it's just one plant) and read or write a poem.

Wilkinson's tree, a Quercus nigra or water oak, nicknamed QN

Wilkinson's tree, a Quercus nigra or water oak, nicknamed QN

Coujrtesy Katharine K. Wilkinson

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Amidst the challenges we face in coexisting harmoniously, gardens and poems create spaces of nourishment and potential, like the green shade described by English poet Andrew Marvell. They teach us to appreciate, care for, and actively engage in our lives and the life of our planet, even in the face of irreversible damage.

In a world where temperatures rise, gardens and poems offer us a cooling respite, both practically and emotionally. As we strive to mitigate climate change and foster compassion and healing in our relationships, gardens and poems serve as examples of elegance, surprise, and creative potential. They encourage us to listen to others in the human and natural world, reminding us of our interconnectedness through shared resources. These sanctuaries help us connect to our surroundings, embracing the possibilities one bird, one verse, one endangered species at a time.

I believe that spending time with poems and gardens can truly have a healing effect on us. Gardens are hubs of diversity, fostering a rich community starting from the very soil. Healthy soil teeming with diverse microbes is able to absorb more carbon compared to depleted soil. This diversity extends beyond the soil, as gardens attract various forms of life in intricate webs. I will always remember the moment when an entomologist visiting the Warren St. Marks Community Garden in Brooklyn revealed that the garden, situated on the site of two collapsed brownstones, supported 42 different species of pollinators, while neighboring blocks only had 2 or 3.

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We really need these little oases where pollinators thrive. They help to enrich our brains by exposing us to a variety of nature. Spending just a few minutes with a tree or flower can help us manage our stress levels, leaving us feeling refreshed, curious, and kind as we go about our day. And these benefits keep adding up: Our community garden in Brooklyn not only supported a wide range of plant life, but also brought together a diverse group of people who would share their harvest with each other on their way home.

Poems, in their own small plots, create diverse networks by immersing us in the rhythms and pleasures of literature. This experience stimulates the empathetic parts of our brains, helping us develop attention, kindness, compassion, and regard for others.

Engaging with poems and participating in the arts in general has practical benefits that extend to the wider community. A study by the National Endowment for the Arts revealed that individuals who have a long-term involvement with the arts are more likely to vote, take on leadership roles in their communities, graduate from high school, and have friendships across different racial or ethnic backgrounds.

In essence, individuals who read poems, appreciate and create art, and participate in artistic endeavors tend to be more informed and tolerant citizens, contributing to the cultivation of diverse communities. The arts play a crucial role in promoting civic health, acting as pollinators that help society flourish.

This Earth Month and National Poetry Month, let's think about how we can expand our patience, curiosity, attentiveness, and care in our everyday lives. Can we incorporate more poems and green spaces into our routines?

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I have always imagined riding through urban areas and coming across vast parking lots with signs that say, "Why isn't this a garden yet?" Imagine a city filled with community gardens offering free or affordable arts programs. How could these spaces benefit us as we confront challenges like climate change, lack of empathy, hunger, and loneliness?

While this vision may seem distant, it's important to speak it into existence and pave the way for it. Believing in these potential hubs of healing is crucial for expanding their reach. It's a world that gardeners envision frequently, one that poets help us envision as well. Emily Dickinson once wrote, "I dwell in possibility." Gardens and poems encourage this kind of contemplation. Serving as symbols of abundance and pointing towards brighter futures, poems and gardens inspire us to imagine what could be, with more depth, care, and optimism.

Editor's P/S:

The article eloquently highlights the profound connection between gardens and poetry, emphasizing their ability to provide solace, introspection, and a sense of interconnectedness in a chaotic world. By nurturing gardens and engaging with poetry, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the beauty and fragility of our planet, fostering compassion and healing within ourselves and our communities. The author's personal experiences and observations illuminate the transformative power of these activities, inspiring readers to embrace their own gardens and poetry as sources of nourishment and renewal.

Furthermore, the article draws attention to the practical benefits of gardens and poetry, extending beyond personal well-being. Gardens promote biodiversity, supporting diverse ecosystems and providing habitats for pollinators. Involvement in the arts, including poetry, has been linked to increased civic engagement, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding. By recognizing these benefits, we can advocate for the creation of more green spaces and arts programs in our communities, paving the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant society. The article serves as a timely reminder of the power of nature and the arts to inspire positive change and cultivate a sense of hope amidst the challenges we face.