A writer has created a poem based around the landscapes of Dorset.
Louisa Adjoa Parker lived in Dorset for 25 years, and collaborated with Dorset National Landscape to pen ‘This Patch of Land’.
The poem vividly describes the natural imagery of Dorset, and references landmarks like the River Cerne and Corfe Castle.
Parker had spoken to many people whilst in the writing process, turning the material into stories that resonate most with the audience.
Parker said: “The writing process was more about talking to the people, and unearthing all these bits and pieces.”
The English-Ghanaian writer had work commended at multiple poetry competitions and was twice shortlisted by the Bridport Prize.
Louisa applied to be a part of the ‘Nature Calling’ programme, that aims to bring new audiences to nature through artistic pieces.
Parker was successful, and was given Dorset as the county to base her writing around.
Parker’s poem will be turned into an visual piece by Becca Gill, a Dorset-based artist.
The piece allowed Parker to travel back to the time when her family moved to the county around 40 years ago.
Parker gathered over 60 pages worth of material while travelling around the region.
Parker added: “I visited a farm visit near Kingcombe; just walking around and chatting to the farmer. That was amazing.”
From that, Parker produced twelve paragraphs, in what she describes as “something between poetry and prose.”
The piece is about human connection with nature and one another, and caring about the planet.
Louisa’s work is available here.
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