Introduction
As an editor, I always find myself drawn to beautiful descriptions of landscapes and scenery. There's something about the power of words to transport us to a different place and time that truly fascinates me. In this article, I've collected some of my favorite examples of gorgeous descriptions of scenery. Whether you're a writer looking for inspiration or just someone who loves to read about beautiful places, I hope you'll enjoy these selections as much as I do.
The Ocean
The ocean has long been a source of inspiration for writers and artists alike. It's no wonder, with its endless expanse of glittering blue water, crashing waves, and the salty scent of sea air. One of my favorite descriptions of the ocean comes from Rachel Carson's "The Sea Around Us": "There is a moment when the sea is quiet and the shore is calm...and the water and the sand, the rocks and the air are soaked in a blue so intense it is an insistent presence, a color waiting to be named." Beautiful.
The Mountains
The mountains are another favorite subject for writers and poets. They can be awe-inspiring in their grandeur and majesty, or peaceful and serene in their quiet beauty. John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club and one of America's greatest naturalists, wrote of the mountains: "The mountains are calling, and I must go." This simple phrase perfectly captures the sense of longing and urgency that many of us feel when we think of the mountains.
The Forest
The forest is a place of mystery and wonder, a place that has captured human imagination for centuries. There's something both beautiful and ominous about the deep, dark trees and the rustling of leaves in the wind. In "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," Mark Twain describes the forest in this way: "The stillness was so profound that he could hear the boings of his own heartbeats. The river, the woods, and the shadows all took on an eerie quality." Twain captures both the beauty and the sense of foreboding that can be found in the forest.
The Desert
The desert is a place of extremes, with scorching heat by day and bone-chilling cold at night. But it's also a place of stark and haunting beauty, with vast stretches of sand and rock formations that seem to stretch on forever. In "Lawrence of Arabia," T.E. Lawrence wrote of the desert: "The desert was gray and sunless; and such was its nature, lifeless and unchanging, that it gave the appearance of being dead." This somber description perfectly captures the sense of desolation and harshness that can be found in the desert.
The City
Finally, we come to the city, a different kind of landscape altogether. For some, the city is a bustling, exciting place full of energy and life. For others, it's a noisy, dirty place they'd rather avoid. In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald writes of the city at night: "The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and beauty in the world." Fitzgerald captures the sense of promise and excitement that can be found in the city, even as he acknowledges its flaws.
Conclusion
These selections are just a small sample of the many beautiful descriptions of scenery that can be found in literature. Whether you're a writer looking for inspiration or just someone who loves to read about beautiful places, I hope these passages have brought a bit of beauty into your day.