Research Question: How can man turn to nature to solve human dilemmas?
Photograph by Keith Kowalsky, “Friends of Cedarmere,” 2015, accessed May1st, 3017 http://www.friendsofcedarmere.org/index.html
A visit to the late William Cullen Bryant’s home, The Cedarmere estate will surround you in rich natural elements. The seven-acre property consists of many ponds, houses, and gardens. One of the most delightful sights I noticed during my visit was a stone bridge which connects two pieces of land over a moss-covered pond. The emerald hue of the water and botanical elements are visually stimulating. The contrast of the red stones against the background provided an element of mystery to the visit, as if I was witnessing something never seen before. It is no surprise that Bryant wrote much of his work at this estate, the natural beauty of the land can assist one in understanding their presence within the world. This photograph will assist me in the writing of my haiku. Considering the fact that Bryant’s writings were heavily influenced by the natural world that surrounded him it is no surprise that his property is so heavily populated with ponds, trees, and bridges. After visiting Cedarmere I understand what this photo captures as well as what it fails to capture. This photograph will be a reminder of the atmosphere at Cedarmere.
Vivian S. Toy, “Four centuries of Architectural Icons,” New York Times, October 20, 2002, http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/20/nyregion/four-centuries-of-architectural-icons.html.
Vivian S. Toy dissects the rich architectural history of Long Island in this New York Times article. The author comments on the stigmas associated with the Island, ”You tend to think of Long Island as an architectural nonentity that’s covered with strip malls and subdivisions,” said Peter Ambler, an architect from Cambridge, Mass. ”But there’s an amazing cross-section of buildings of great architectural interest here going from the 17th century to the 20th century.’’ One of the sophisticated design structures mentioned in the article is the estate of the nineteenth century poet, William Cullen Bryant. His home, “The Cedarmere estate” is located in Roslyn Harbor. Built in 1787, the home is now owned by Nassau County and operates as a museum. The unique physicality of Cedarmere could be an important force when creating my haiku. That is why this articles analysis of the architecture of the cedar mere property will be helpful while writing.
William Cullen Bryant, “November,” 1794-1878 (poets.org, Date unknown.),
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/november
The poetry of William Cullen Bryant has a deep connection to nature. His writings develop visual experience through descriptive language. The poem, “November” describes the experience for one during the month of November. “Yet one rich smile, and we will try to bear the piercing winter frost, and winds, and darkened air.” Bryant captures the moment where the physical and the emotional collide. One of the most phenomenal things about a person’s environment is that it has the ability to alter their perception and experience of a moment drastically.
William Cullen Bryant, “Waterfowl,” accessed May1st, 2017, “poemhunter.com“, https:// www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-a-waterfowl/.
William Cullen Bryant’s “Waterfowl” is a poem that consists of quatrains. The poem merges natural observations and personal understandings in order to depict mans connection to the natural world, a common practice of William Cullen Bryant. The poem describes a journey of a Waterfowl bird. By the first line, Bryant sets the tone for a descriptive visually driven text. He writes, “Whither, midst falling dew,” Bryant describes the action of dew falling, a very specific moment in a time. One can infer that William Cullen Bryant does not only respect nature for its physical beauty but for its ability to guide one through sophisticated and complex situations. This poem depicts silence. The carefully chosen, and placed words offer the reader a quiet analysis of a journey. This is a trait I will strive to replicate in my haiku.
William Cullen Bryant, “Consumption,” accessed May 1st, 2017, “poemhunter.com” https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/consumption/.
Consumption is perhaps one of the more morbid of William Cullen Bryant’s work. The title is influenced by the slang used to address tuberculosis during the time it was written. The story which follows the “sleep which knows no waking” follows the final hours of ones battle with the disease. Despite the dark theme of the context Bryant still skillfully introduces the natural world as a response to death. He invokes images of branches dancing in the wind, and the petals of a flower being released by the bud. Many poets focus on identifying the beauty and ability of nature and while this is often proven, there are many layers to mother natures capabilities. Nature is powerful. So powerful that it can be as evil as it is kind. Bryant does a phenomenal job at highlighting both. This poem will help me write a series of haiku that vary. The contrast between nature and death can lend for a powerful message if executed correctly.
Epiphanie Stroll
Moss lays on water
A bird lands to take a breathe
It’s very own island.
Ivy covers a house
A mother holding her child
The vines mean no harm.
Cold but nurturing:
The rock which my head lays on
The comfiest bed.
Sunlight through the glass
Burns a hole onto the floor
It’s the purest fire.
A bud in the wind:
Did she choose to leave the branch?
She is now alone.
Land between two ponds:
The space between her fingers
Mother natures palm.
Dew drops on a leaf
like grease spots on a cold pan
Sun beams help ignite.
A gothic style door
Above, four matching windows.
dark wood above bricks
Before the mirror,
oh what a cruel depiction
this cannot be true.
Human dilemma
I call on Nature for help
Even the leaves respond
