<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
  <channel>
    <title>nature &amp;mdash;     </title>
    <link>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:nature</link>
    <description>Attempts at writing... Short stories, poetry, essays, and a novel someday...</description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:47:38 +0000</pubDate>
    <item>
      <title>The Grieving Forest  </title>
      <link>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/the-grieving-forest?pk_campaign=rss-feed</link>
      <description>&lt;![CDATA[Inspired by Nature series #4  &#xA;!--more--&#xA;I can hear you cry    &#xA;Underneath your bark    &#xA;My heart ripped out    &#xA;As they pull your roots    &#xA;  &#xA;In the gusts of wind    &#xA;As you breathe new life    &#xA;The whispers of grief    &#xA;For your fallen ones    &#xA;  &#xA;When the last one drops    &#xA;I will go with you    &#xA;And in one last breath    &#xA;We will bow and sing   &#xA;  &#xA;It was beautiful   &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;#Poetry #english #InspiredByNatureSeries #nature #forest #tree #ecology #deforestation #environment #grief  ]]&gt;</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Inspired by Nature</em> series #4<br/>

I can hear you cry<br/>
Underneath your bark<br/>
My heart ripped out<br/>
As they pull your roots</p>

<p>In the gusts of wind<br/>
As you breathe new life<br/>
The whispers of grief<br/>
For your fallen ones</p>

<p>When the last one drops<br/>
I will go with you<br/>
And in one last breath<br/>
We will bow and sing</p>

<p>It was beautiful<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
<a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Poetry" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Poetry</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:english" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">english</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:InspiredByNatureSeries" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">InspiredByNatureSeries</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:nature" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">nature</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:forest" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">forest</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:tree" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">tree</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:ecology" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">ecology</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:deforestation" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">deforestation</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:environment" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">environment</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:grief" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">grief</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <guid>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/the-grieving-forest</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:32:58 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Waiting for Spring</title>
      <link>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/waiting-for-spring?pk_campaign=rss-feed</link>
      <description>&lt;![CDATA[Inspired by Nature series #3  &#xA;!--more--&#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;In a whistling silence   &#xA;All night rushed down the road   &#xA;Early morning the fields   &#xA;Painted a pale yellow   &#xA;The buttercups frosted   &#xA;Over by the north wind   &#xA;  &#xA;Already long gone is   &#xA;The bright verdant of Spring   &#xA;Soon all the leaves will turn   &#xA;A vibrant rust color   &#xA;Then with a glass of wine   &#xA;We&#39;ll reminisce those nights   &#xA;Dipping in the tide pools   &#xA;Or by the bonfire   &#xA;  &#xA;When tickled by the cold   &#xA;We&#39;ll see our breath escape   &#xA;Seeking the quietude   &#xA;In seclusion we&#39;ll wait   &#xA;For the nightingale song   &#xA;To fill the night again  &#xA;  &#xA;_______  &#xA;  &#xA;This poem was written using all the prompts from @dailyhaikuprompt@mastodon.world for the week of May 17-24, 2025. I usually use those prompts to actually write haiku but this time I just had a different kind of fun with them.  &#xA;✓ Yellow  &#xA;✓ Early frost  &#xA;✓ Field   &#xA;✓ Silence  &#xA;✓ Verdant  &#xA;✓ Rust  &#xA;✓ Road  &#xA;✓ North wind  &#xA;✓ Breath  &#xA;✓ Wine  &#xA;✓ Nightingale   &#xA;✓ Bonfire  &#xA;✓ Pool  &#xA;✓ Leaves  &#xA;✓ Tickle  &#xA;✓ Seclusion  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;#Poetry #english #InspiredByNatureSeries #nature #seasons&#xA;]]&gt;</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Inspired by Nature</em> series #3<br/>

 <br/>
In a whistling silence<br/>
All night rushed down the road<br/>
Early morning the fields<br/>
Painted a pale yellow<br/>
The buttercups frosted<br/>
Over by the north wind</p>

<p>Already long gone is<br/>
The bright verdant of Spring<br/>
Soon all the leaves will turn<br/>
A vibrant rust color<br/>
Then with a glass of wine<br/>
We&#39;ll reminisce those nights<br/>
Dipping in the tide pools <br/>
Or by the bonfire</p>

<p>When tickled by the cold <br/>
We&#39;ll see our breath escape<br/>
Seeking the quietude<br/>
In seclusion we&#39;ll wait<br/>
For the nightingale song<br/>
To fill the night again</p>

<p>_______</p>

<p>This poem was written using all the prompts from <a href="/@/dailyhaikuprompt@mastodon.world" class="u-url mention">@<span>dailyhaikuprompt@mastodon.world</span></a> for the week of May 17-24, 2025. I usually use those prompts to actually write haiku but this time I just had a different kind of fun with them.<br/>
✓ Yellow<br/>
✓ Early frost<br/>
✓ Field <br/>
✓ Silence<br/>
✓ Verdant<br/>
✓ Rust<br/>
✓ Road<br/>
✓ North wind<br/>
✓ Breath<br/>
✓ Wine<br/>
✓ Nightingale <br/>
✓ Bonfire<br/>
✓ Pool<br/>
✓ Leaves<br/>
✓ Tickle<br/>
✓ Seclusion<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
<a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Poetry" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Poetry</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:english" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">english</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:InspiredByNatureSeries" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">InspiredByNatureSeries</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:nature" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">nature</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:seasons" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">seasons</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <guid>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/waiting-for-spring</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 01:15:57 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>百万耳语 A Million Whispers</title>
      <link>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/bai-mo-er-yu-a-million-whispers?pk_campaign=rss-feed</link>
      <description>&lt;![CDATA[Inspired by Nature series #2  &#xA;!--more--&#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;A poem in chinese calligraphy  &#xA;  &#xA;每人有自己位的  &#xA;细心观者识天理  &#xA;一千歌百万耳语  &#xA;森林密被风带走  &#xA;  &#xA;To each their own place and purpose    &#xA;An order only known to the attentive observer    &#xA;A thousand songs and a million whispers    &#xA;The forest secret is carried away by the wind  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;    &#xA;&amp;nbsp;   &#xA;This poem was inspired by the enchanted mess of the forest. But a mess only in appearance. Once we pay close attention, we realize that every living being, birds, animals, insects, plants, has a place within this rich ecosystem. And all are equally important. Same goes with each and everyone of us within the rich ecosystem that is humanity. We all have a role to play that is equally essential. It might not be obvious, blurred by the chatter of millions of voices, and this secret, this truth is sometimes escaping our understanding. Which is why we always have to listen and pay attention. &#xA;  &#xA;It is my first poem in Chinese, so I hope I&#39;m honouring this beautiful language.   &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;I had submitted this piece to the first International Calligraphy Contest organized by the Dr Sun Yat-Set Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver with Master Su Jiangang back in Summer 2023, for which I garnered an honourable mention. I was so honoured and humbled by it.  &#xA;  &#xA;It was such a great challenge for me.  &#xA;First, I challenged myself to write my very own original poem in Mandarin for it. So I did some research on Chinese poetry to try and understand the rules and secrets. It was a very superficial research but still super interesting, and it&#39;s exciting to know how much more there is to discover in this new-to-me territory. The poem, I know, is full of mistakes, incorrect Mandarin as well as improper use of the rules of Chinese poetry, but I tried my very best for it. And let&#39;s say it&#39;s creative license haha! But I must say, I&#39;m so freakin&#39; proud of myself no matter how bad it might be.   &#xA;It was also a great opportunity to practice my calligraphy, which I find so soothing and meditative, and so meaningful at the same time. I practised each character over and over. Of course I can see all the flaws, imbalances and wrong proportions, but again, I&#39;m proud of it nonetheless.   &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;    &#xA;#Poetry #mandarin #chinese #english #InspiredByNatureSeries #nature #forest #calligraphy]]&gt;</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Inspired by Nature</em> series #2<br/>

 <br/>
<img src="https://i.snap.as/KmVlmS6Y.jpg" alt="A poem in chinese calligraphy" title="百万耳语"/></p>

<p>每人有自己位的<br/>
细心观者识天理<br/>
一千歌百万耳语<br/>
森林密被风带走</p>

<p>To each their own place and purpose<br/>
An order only known to the attentive observer<br/>
A thousand songs and a million whispers<br/>
The forest secret is carried away by the wind<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
This poem was inspired by the enchanted mess of the forest. But a mess only in appearance. Once we pay close attention, we realize that every living being, birds, animals, insects, plants, has a place within this rich ecosystem. And all are equally important. Same goes with each and everyone of us within the rich ecosystem that is humanity. We all have a role to play that is equally essential. It might not be obvious, blurred by the chatter of millions of voices, and this secret, this truth is sometimes escaping our understanding. Which is why we always have to listen and pay attention.</p>

<p>It is my first poem in Chinese, so I hope I&#39;m honouring this beautiful language.<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
I had submitted this piece to the first International Calligraphy Contest organized by the Dr Sun Yat-Set Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver with Master Su Jiangang back in Summer 2023, for which I garnered an honourable mention. I was so honoured and humbled by it.</p>

<p>It was such a great challenge for me.<br/>
First, I challenged myself to write my very own original poem in Mandarin for it. So I did some research on Chinese poetry to try and understand the rules and secrets. It was a very superficial research but still super interesting, and it&#39;s exciting to know how much more there is to discover in this new-to-me territory. The poem, I know, is full of mistakes, incorrect Mandarin as well as improper use of the rules of Chinese poetry, but I tried my very best for it. And let&#39;s say it&#39;s creative license haha! But I must say, I&#39;m so freakin&#39; proud of myself no matter how bad it might be.<br/>
It was also a great opportunity to practice my calligraphy, which I find so soothing and meditative, and so meaningful at the same time. I practised each character over and over. Of course I can see all the flaws, imbalances and wrong proportions, but again, I&#39;m proud of it nonetheless.<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
<a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Poetry" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Poetry</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:mandarin" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">mandarin</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:chinese" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">chinese</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:english" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">english</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:InspiredByNatureSeries" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">InspiredByNatureSeries</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:nature" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">nature</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:forest" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">forest</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:calligraphy" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">calligraphy</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <guid>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/bai-mo-er-yu-a-million-whispers</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 01 Sep 2024 21:38:57 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Mystery of the Fallen Tree</title>
      <link>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/the-mystery-of-the-fallen-tree?pk_campaign=rss-feed</link>
      <description>&lt;![CDATA[Inspired by Nature series #1  &#xA;!--more--  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;Across the path  &#xA;A fallen tree  &#xA;Or is it a branch  &#xA;  &#xA;Looking up around  &#xA;Stride to a halt  &#xA;Where from I ask  &#xA;  &#xA;No visible stump  &#xA;No visible wound  &#xA;No recent storm  &#xA;No known reason  &#xA;  &#xA;And if you listen  &#xA;You can hear the breath  &#xA;Of the forest, still  &#xA;Living through death  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;#Poetry #english #InspiredByNatureSeries #nature #forest #tree]]&gt;</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Inspired by Nature</em> series #1<br/>
<br/>
 <br/>
Across the path<br/>
A fallen tree<br/>
Or is it a branch</p>

<p>Looking up around<br/>
Stride to a halt<br/>
Where from I ask</p>

<p>No visible stump<br/>
No visible wound<br/>
No recent storm<br/>
No known reason</p>

<p>And if you listen<br/>
You can hear the breath<br/>
Of the forest, still<br/>
Living through death<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
<a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Poetry" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Poetry</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:english" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">english</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:InspiredByNatureSeries" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">InspiredByNatureSeries</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:nature" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">nature</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:forest" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">forest</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:tree" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">tree</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <guid>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/the-mystery-of-the-fallen-tree</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 08 May 2022 21:57:07 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sunday evening Haiku</title>
      <link>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/sunday-evening-haiku?pk_campaign=rss-feed</link>
      <description>&lt;![CDATA[Haiku series #3  &#xA;!--more--  &#xA;&#xA;At dusk by the pond  &#xA;Wispy waves of quacks. Echo  &#xA;Chamber of a cloud  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;#Poetry #Haiku #english #HaikuSeries #nature]]&gt;</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Haiku</em> series #3<br/>
</p>

<p>At dusk by the pond<br/>
Wispy waves of quacks. Echo<br/>
Chamber of a cloud<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
<a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Poetry" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Poetry</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Haiku" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Haiku</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:english" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">english</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:HaikuSeries" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">HaikuSeries</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:nature" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">nature</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <guid>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/sunday-evening-haiku</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2022 08:21:38 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sunday morning Haiku</title>
      <link>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/sunday-morning-haiku?pk_campaign=rss-feed</link>
      <description>&lt;![CDATA[Haiku series #2  &#xA;!--more--  &#xA;&#xA;A birds symphony  &#xA;Masking the chaos. Morning  &#xA;Promises of Spring  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;&amp;nbsp;  &#xA;#Poetry #Haiku #english #HaikuSeries #nature #seasons]]&gt;</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Haiku</em> series #2<br/>
</p>

<p>A birds symphony<br/>
Masking the chaos. Morning<br/>
Promises of Spring<br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
 <br/>
<a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Poetry" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Poetry</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:Haiku" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">Haiku</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:english" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">english</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:HaikuSeries" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">HaikuSeries</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:nature" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">nature</span></a> <a href="https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/tag:seasons" class="hashtag"><span>#</span><span class="p-category">seasons</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <guid>https://blog.echoingfrog.ca/sunday-morning-haiku</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Feb 2022 17:55:15 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>