By Jenna Mattern

Poetry has and remains a delicate art form, transcending among generations, and spanning across nuanced topics, tones, and styles.

It’s reached plenty of audiences, bridging gaps between the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the dreamers and the realists. It cultivates emotions and finds its voice in many genres. Nature poetry captures the beauty, life, and power that can be found in the world around us.

For centuries, nature poets have offered readers another lens to explore and connect with their surroundings. And in times of contemporary environmental crises–nature poetry appears to be an art form even more timely and relevant.

Here are 10 nature poets that offer a unique perspective into this dynamic genre. Though their works stretch through generations, these poets are sure to convert any modern nature poetry critic.

William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

Born in 1770 in the United Kingdom, William Wordsworth is known as one of the founders of English Romanticism. He began writing poetry in elementary school and by the time high school came around, a trip to Europe solidified his love for poetry. This later influenced the themes of his works including nature and sympathy.

His most popular works include, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” a lyrical poem about witnessing daffodils. Additionally, Wordsworth is known for his autobiographical poem, “The Prelude,” which depicts his experiences living in Dorset, England.

Despite being a poet from the 19th century, Wordsworth’s work continues to invoke deeper meaning about nature, the human experience, and the dynamic world around us.

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)
Born in 1792, Percy Bysshe Shelley acts as another example of an English Romanticist. Shelley grappled with many themes in his poems, including love, hope, nature, and politics. He began his writing career at age 17 and had poetry published as a student at Eton College in 1810.

He is most notably known for his work, “Ode to the West Wind,” which describes the significance of wind as a force of nature. Additionally, he is known for his poem, “To a Skylark” where Shelly uses the bird as a symbol of freedom.

Shelley died at age 29 from a drowning accident, but his poetry lives on as a symbol for the freedom of the human spirit and the influence of nature in his work is undeniable.

John Keats (1795–1821)
Born in 1795 in London, John Keats is another influential poet of the English Romanticism era. He began writing poems in his late teens and eventually found his niche, incorporating natural elements into his works.

His work, “To Autumn” focuses on the cycles of the seasons, and consists of rich description and imagery. Furthermore, “Bright Star” delves into ideas of eternity within nature.

Though Keats died at age 25. In his lifetime he published 54 poems and created powerful works that were full of emotion and greater philosophy about the world.

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

Born in 1817, Henry David Thoreau is arguably one of the world’s most renowned poets, philosophers, and scholars. Often classified as a transcendentalist, Thoreau used these strong beliefs to influence his poems.

While spending time in a remote cabin, Thoreau wrote his most famous work, “Walden”, in which he reflects on his isolated lifestyle and his interactions with the naturalistic world around him. Similarly, Thoreau’s pieces “Autumnal Tints” and “A Winter Walk” focus heavily on seasonal changes and the purity and beauty behind each weather cycle.

Thoreau’s work remains relevant today, acting as critical pieces of literature in the American curriculum in school. Through these efforts, Thoreau’s legacy lives on for generations to come.

Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
Born in 1819 on Long Island, Walt Whitman can be considered “America’s poet.” Throughout his life, Whitman worked many occupations, including a schoolteacher, reporter, and editor. However, his most notable work came from his time as a poet.

Whitman’s extensive book, “Leaves of Grass” intertwines several topics like nature and democracy, teasing the two phenomenons and creating parallels in the collection of poems. In his poem titled “As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life” Whitman discusses the naturalistic features of the ocean, breaking the poem down into four distinct parts.

Similar to Thoreau, Whitman’s impact and work remain steadfast and relevant in contemporary classrooms.

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

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— Emily Dickinson Museum (@DickinsonMuseum) October 22, 2024

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Born in 1830, Emily Dickinson was an original poet, who experimented and created a unique style and voice through her work.

She is famously known for her rhythmic piece, “A Bird came down the Walk” where she observes a bird and its actions. Her work, “There’s a certain Slant of light” has a more gloomy tone, and describes the season of winter.

Dickinson continues to be a household name in modern times, and her poetry is enjoyed and read by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Robert Frost (1874-1963)
Born in 1874 in San Francisco, Robert Frost is a largely celebrated poet nationally. In 1894, he had his first poem, titled, “My Butterfly” published in the New York Independent. This launched him into his poetry career (Poetry Foundation).

His poem, “Birches” focuses on a birch tree and the interaction between humans and the physical world around them.

Frost went on to win four Pulitzer Prizes and eventually passed away at the age of 88.

Wendell Berry (b. 1934)
Born in 1934 in Kentucky, Wendell Berry is a passionate author, writer, and environmentalist, where he resides on his family farm that has been maintained for 40 years (Poetry Foundation).

His poem, “The Peace of Wild Things” grapples with the idea of letting nature run its course, whereas his work, “The Dead Calf” takes on a more dark and serious topic, using a lamb’s death to share his message.

Berry has received countless awards for his work, including the 2010 National Humanities Medal presented by Barack Obama. Berry is currently 90 years old.

Mary Oliver (1935–2019)

Born in 1935, Mary Oliver grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. As a child, she began writing poetry inspired by exploring the woods near her home.

Oliver attended both The Ohio State University and Vassar College, but she did not end up graduating. Despite this, her works were widely successful and she even won a Pulitzer Prize. Her poem, “Wild Geese” draws on the idea of self-acceptance and the beautiful consistency of nature.

Oliver passed away in 2019 at age 83.

Joy Harjo (b. 1951)
Born in 1951, in Tulsa Oklahoma, Joy Harjo is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Harjo’s poems incorporate feminist and social justice aspects, and she uses indigenous symbols and objects as storytelling vessels.

Her work describes landscapes of the Southeast and Southwest, along with Alaska and Hawaii. In works like “Eagle Poem” and “Invisible Fish,” Harjo combines her fascination with nature and animals to create a compelling story.

According to the National Women’s History Museum, Harjo currently lives in Tulsa and works as the first Artist-in-Residency at the Bob Dylan Center.