Gabrielle Toronto - 2021

Plucking Grass

“Plucking Grass” started as an ode to the beauty of nature. As my writing process continued, I could not help but incorporate the impact mankind’s actions have had on the Earth. My goal for this piece was to combine art and poetry to show the reader how we have unknowingly mistreated the world around us. The art was done in digital watercolor and is used for the purpose to supplement the poetry. This is way it is not detailed and in a muted color palette. Inspiration came from the myriad of evidence showing how habitat destruction, not only ruins the lives of animals, but human life. “Plucking Grass” shows the journey we all could have with the world around us—admiration, destruction, rejuvenation. My main intention was not to blame the reader. Therefore, I repeatedly use the phrase “I. You. We.”. I wanted to showcase humanity as the collective force—for destruction or renewal. While most of the poem is bleak, I wanted the end to be a hopeful call to action that can inspire personal thoughts in the reader.