Stillwater

The poem Stillwater won "Chief's Choice" in the 2025 ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) Poem Contest. It illustrates the writer's experience harmonizing with the nature around him.

"A great blue heron folds the sky

into its wings, then disappears.

The water keeps its secrets close –

the snap of frogs, the hush of deer.

Painted turtles line the log

like sun-warmed coins left in a row.

A dragonfly burns cobalt light

and hovers where the cattails grow.

I cast no shadow here, no sound –

just breath and breeze and quiet grace.

The wild accepts me as I am:

a passing part of this still place. "

-David Dillon

Stillwater captures an idealized, yet entirely achievable, user experience in Ohio State Parks. Dillon paints a picture of a thriving ecosystem where herons, turtles, and dragonflies contribute their vibrancy and peace to the beautiful scene. The presence of multiple species conveys that the ecosystem is healthy and abundant, while the layering of imagery draws readers into the full sensory immersion that Dillon experiences. This immersion is not passive observation but an experience of belonging; Dillon feels absorbed into the scene, where just the contribution of breath is enough to be accepted into the world around him.

The poem highlights a key insight for design ideation and research: immersion fosters respect. By blending into the natural rhythms of frogs snapping and deer moving in silence, the poet suggests that human presence can harmonize with the landscape rather than disrupt it. Such moments invite visitors to slow down, reflect, and recognize their place within the environment. For Ohio State Parks, this demonstrates how facilitating immersion and coexistence can serve as the foundation for cultivating respect, stewardship, and connection to the wilderness.

References.

Dillon, D. (n.d.). STILLWATER Chief's Choice. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/general/2025_Writers_for_Wildlife_Panels.pdf

This passage draws ~40% from Dillon’s poem Stillwater (ODNR Poem Contest, 2025), ~40% from the author’s framing and interpretive contributions (selection, thematic direction, and contextual emphasis), and ~20% from AI assistance (synthesizing key points, expanding analysis, and refining prose for length and clarity). All interpretations remain the responsibility of the author.