Touching Bark

Discover the healing power of poetry, nature, and trees in Touching Bark in Vicky Park, a lyrical guide to forest bathing, poetic reflection and poetry writing in London's beloved Victoria Park.

This beautifully crafted book invites readers into a transformative relationship with the trees of East London's first public park. Blending poetic inspiration, historical insight, and emotional depth, it highlights a curated canon of tree-focused poems by Charlotte Mew, Jackie Kay, Philip Larkin, Claude McKay, Grace Nichols, Christina Rossetti, Robert Frost, and others. Each poet's work is mapped to specific trees and seasonal moods within Victoria Park, creating a unique walking experience that combines literary exploration with mindful nature connection.

Inspired by the forest bathing practices of Susanne Meis and rooted in the author's own creative journey, Touching Bark offers:

• A poetic walking map of Victoria Park amidst its trees
• Writing prompts and seasonal reflections to deepen your connection with nature and your relationship with trees
• A guide to poetic forest bathing in central London through the lens of verse
• Emotional and symbolic scaffolding for personal healing and creative growth

Whether you're a poet, walker, teacher, or seeker of quiet joy, this book will help you reconnect with the trees, with your voice, and with yourself.

Perfect for fans of nature writing, urban ecology, poetry therapy, and mindful walking. Let your words take root. Let the trees speak back.