Objectives: Moheb Soliman is a poet who believes in the nonhuman living world (animals, nature, ecosystems) and experiencing wilderness. To him, it is a “radical experience to be in the natural world and re-calibrate who you are and on what axis you orient yourself around.” Place and identity play a vital role in this experience of the self – in this activity, you will think of a place special to you, either in the natural world or not (however the natural world is ideal). Think of it as an “authentic encounter” in a natural space.
A poem will be written about that place, a poem that captures that place’s meaning to you.
Tools/Resources: MN Original video clip, pencil, paper.
Activity
- Watch the segment and discuss:
a. Moheb Soliman says that being in the natural world can be a “radical experience”, what does he mean by this?
b. Mr. Soliman’s poems have been installed on five different parks around the Great Lakes – why? What purpose does the poetry have in those parks?
- Brainstorm:
a. Think of one place that means something to you, as Mr. Soliman says, an “authentic encounter” in a natural space.
i. Try to think of a place outside in nature and not inside a building; however if your special place is inside a building, that will work as well.
- Write a poem, it can be a structured poem, spoken word, a haiku, any form of poetry you wish – but write about that one special place you brainstormed about
a. Imagine that you could write a poem about that place to help capture its meaning to you to be shared and experienced by others who visit that place.
- Share poem with someone, do not tell them where the place is until after the poem is finished.
