Nature and Creative Writing - Words by Masterclass attendees

by Rhian Waller | Monday, 18th November 2024

This year, members of the Gladstone's Library community have come along to an array of talks, masterclasses and special events. Among them was a "Nature Writing in the Biodiversity Crisis: a Day with Karen Lloyd".

Karen, an acclaimed nature writer and journalist, challenged attendees to write short pieces inspired by scenes from nature. Now, we are pleased to share what they wrote.

A picture of a a large black-and-white dappled sea bird coasting across a blue background. The wording reads: II’m not convinced by the sophisticated slo-mo, but the beauty of these sea bird giants as they transit dagger-like from air to the sea is undeniable. Pity the poor fish that for no more than an instant wonders ‘what happened’? - Ken Walker
A close up shot of pink seaweed on sand. The wording is: "This filigree of fine sea tangle was not of man made kind. Raspberry coloured, translucent paper glued to the perfect rippled furrows of sand. The tide has left plants as carefully placed as any artist's creation". Alison Eckersley
A shot showing purple plants clustered on a land near sea. Lavender, rock and seaskin, flesh, blood I am native to this land- Luciana Hermida
A photo showing autumnal trees. A chalice of childhood Chill against cheek Fronded, I bronze - Julie Leoni
A cross section of a fungi with a blue staining on its gills. The text reads: Those red and white show-offs can have their gaudiness. I have a trick up my sleeve. Crack my head open and my yellow sponge-like gills change colour in seconds, turning a cupreous blue." - Paul Board
A misty shot of Library building through wet leaves. The edge of the grand willow’s leaves are highlighted by dew drops. Each dew drop mirrors the sun. The leaf stem stands out, held between two lines of dew drops, each drop stacked on top of one another. - Jo Blackshaw
A shot showing ivy on a wall. "The ivy snuggles close to me; she knows/ And through my quiet husbandry, the fairy circle grows." - Liz Kendall
Air ballet wind-lifted ebbs and flow writing messages across the sky for watchers weighted on the ground - Anne Symons East
A bird flying low over water. The text reads: An eye within a perfect blue ring decorated with black feathers painted like an Egyptian queen. It stares, stern and serious as it glides over a choppy sea, The grey waters broken by crescents of foam and shivers of silver ... Seeking, searching... - Helen Papworth
A wetland bird. The text reads: A Curlew calls, loud and wild - as wild as the spreading moors, a cry that captures a landscape and brings tears to my eyes
A cluster of red and white fly agaric toadstools. The text reads: I push my sore, raw, blistering caps through the soft lush green carpet; rare gems amidst the yellowing confetti of the birch leaves... - Kate Scurry

Top photo released under Creative Commons. Photo 2 (seaweed) CC by Odd Wellies. Photo 3 (purple plants) CC Phil Dolby. Photo 8 (diving bird) CC Cazalegg. Photo 9 (bird low over water) CC Bernard Stagg. Photo 10 (wetland bird) CC Bex Ross. All other photos provided by Gladstone's Library or class attendees.