Write Your Story: Amy Tan
Presented by the Leopold Writing Program in partnership with the Santa Fe International Literary Festival.
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"I, too, am part of [the baby titmice's] curricula. The young birds have always seen me as part of the yard. I am the flightless animal that sits by the big glass doors and sometimes comes out. They associate me with the arrival of mealworms and make loud tsika-tsika sounds before I’ve even refilled the feeders... At first, they waited for me to leave before jumping down and entering the cages. But some are now acclimated to my presence and enter when I am still refilling the bowls."
― Amy Tan, The Backyard Bird Chronicles How do you think the natural world views you?
If it could, what do you think nature would say to you or tell you about yourself? Share your answer with others in line or write your thoughts here. |
Submissions
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I am the flightless animal
Adria Winfield May 17, 2025 I am the flightless animal that sits by the big glass doors. I don’t fly; I observe. I peer through the glass doors at the life within. I bear witness to the indoor activities. But I cannot fly. I must stay here forever. I don’t mind. The big glass doors offer a window to a different world and for that, I am grateful. The Natural World
Anonymous May 17, 2025 The natural world views me as a helper. I “help” persevere the world in which we live. I share this space with others. Nature will say to “slow” down stop and look. I am not
Anonymous May 17, 2025 I am not of consequence as the world moves past me. Humans and animals, pants and the wind move gently around me . Never touching or making eye contact with me. I think it’s best this way. I don’t need to be remembered by this moment. I will join the line of my ancestors. My face will live in my children I would hope the natural world
Anonymous May 18, 2025 I love this prompt… I would hope the natural world - the animals of the natural world would nod to me respectfully from a distance - as I do to them - trying not to interfere with me as I try not to interfere with them. But it depends on which creatures - the mosquitoes would say, food!!!! The bear in my front yard that I banged pots and pans at - because it is the right thing to do - would say - alright, little girl - I will slowly walk away - I will go along with this charade, but I know, and you know , and I know you know - that I am much bigger and faster than you, but fine - oh and thanks for the bird food - hahahaha! Oh and remember - you live in my forest - not the other way around. And I would say in my head - I love you bear! I’m glad there is this glass between us! I wish I could cuddle you! And the land would say long-hushed things to each other - the trees in their slow conversation, never really noticing the small, quick thing dancing, then vanishing mid-conversation. |
The natural world is like a forlorn lover
Wendi Lee May 17, 2025 The natural world is like a forlorn lover who yearns for love lost and reconciled with us. Nature would tell us that we need each other to survive, thrive, and feel again. I weep when caught up in wonder or suffering
Meryl Marshall-Daniels May 17, 2025 I weep when caught up in wonder or suffering. Do they notice? When the tears appear the humans do. The insects and the birds are so busy I am not sure. The plants maybe as they call me to observe, they draw me out. They ask me to care, to water or to trim and sometimes to commune. I am learning to sense - to listen for the subtle feelings awake in the natural world, awakening in me. Is this true? I hope so and often I believe so and in some rare moments I know. I am learning. You are perfect
Y Journeay May 17, 2025 You are perfect and wonderful just the way you are. Nature views me
Susan Rhoades May 18, 2025 Nature views me as I view it, with curiosity. Nature would say, slow down, inhale, look closely and be. |
