Themed Poetry Walks in Nature
we walk with the words of literary giants as our companions. each session is a deep dive into the work of a specific poet, using their verses as prompts to explore nature, life, and our own creativity.
Mary Oliver is one of the most loved poets of our time, one who claimed to be saved by the glad sight of trees. This Lyrical Walk at Sunder Nursery uses her poetry as a reflective tool to immerse ourselves in the forest and 'go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.'
"Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination." This walk in Bangalore's Cubbon Park was guided by Mary Oliver's poetry, inviting us to find our place in the family of things.
To mark a year of hosting Lyrical Walks, I revisited an old, wise friend: Mary Oliver. This walk in Lodhi Gardens used her poetry on queerness and nature to celebrate the journey and the community we've built.
"We are the only poets, and everyone else is prose," Emily Dickinson told her friend Susan. This poetic healing walk in Sunder Nursery brings her soul-nourishing poetry into play as prompts to reflect on our relationship with nature.
This walk in Lodhi Garden was another chance to immerse ourselves in the world of Emily Dickinson. Her poetry, a scented letter to the world, offers endless mysteries and creative possibilities for us to explore.
"Heart, we will forget him, You and I, tonight!" This beautiful artwork announced our Lyrical Forest Walk with Emily Dickinson in Sanjay Van, a chance to explore her brilliant, soul-nourishing poetry.
"I miss you more than I remember you." Ocean Vuong's poetry bears witness to grief, loss, and beauty in the most naked ways. This healing forest walk in Mumbai's Maharashtra Nature Park used their dreamlike and piercing words as our guide.
"Because the sunset, like survival, exists only on the verge of its own disappearing." This walk in Sanjay Van was dedicated to the work of Ocean Vuong, whose poetry I have always felt in my bones. A truly special experience.
Sylvia Plath's poetry is sharp, confessional, and dynamic. This Lyrical Walk in Lodhi Gardens used her work as a meditative tool, hoping her reflections on inner turmoil might help us get through our own.
"Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing." This walk with Sylvia Plath's poetry in Sanjay Van was an immersion into her world of secret chambers, both frantic and absorbing.
About In the Company of Poets: Themed Walks
we use poetry as a lens to look at the trees, the light, and the silence around us, rather than a text to be analyzed. whether we are reading mary oliver’s nature-centric lines or the sharp insights of sylvia plath, the words act as a compass during our 2.5-hour sessions. this creates a container for your own reflection, turning a simple stroll into an active, meditative practice where the environment responds to the verse.
poetry is a body, always rushing toward an opening. these themed walks are designed to help you find that opening in the company of some of history’s most evocative voices. when we step into spaces like sanjay van, lodhi gardens, or cubbon park, we aren't just walking; we are responding to the rhythm of the earth.
how it works
we gather in small groups to keep the experience intimate. i facilitate the reading, selecting verses that mirror the landscape—like using mary oliver’s work to mirror the greenery of sunder nursery, or emily dickinson’s mysteries to reflect on the quiet corners of the forest. there is no pressure to critique, perform, or write perfectly. the goal is simply to be present.
why these poets
from the confessional, psychic depth of sylvia plath to the lyrical, dreamlike clarity of ocean vuong, each walk curates a specific poetic voice to guide our reflection. we explore how these writers navigated their own lives, using their words to help us navigate ours. whether you are seeking stillness, processing grief, or simply curious about literature, these walks provide a sanctuary.
practical details
- duration: each session lasts 2.5 hours.
- inclusivity: this space is open to everyone—the queer, the curious, the artist, and the skeptic.
- preparation: no prior knowledge of poetry is required. we finish with a quiet circle, allowing the words and the walk to settle in your body.
we believe writing cannot be taught, but conditions can be created where a poem can appear. join us to create those conditions in the wild.
Rachit Sharma
i’m rachit, and i believe poetry should be felt in our bones, not just studied on a page. these themed walks are my way of pulling verse off the stage and bringing it into the air we breathe—whether that is in the middle of a forest in delhi or a park in bengaluru.
find a walk that resonates with you.
explore different themes, poets, and locations in our poetry schedule.
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