Exploring the Poetic Connection Between Grasslands and Nature in Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj's Work

I took this photo of the Southwest grass lands and then wanted to know grass lands around the world. Once I researched some of those regions I looked for different poets. One poet who captures grasses vividly is Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj, a Mongolian writer whose work reflects the spirit of the steppe and the natural world.

His poem My Homeland (Mongolian: Minii nutag) offers a powerful glimpse into the relationship between land, sky, and identity.

The Landscape of the Mongolian Steppe in Poetry

Natsagdorj’s poetry is rooted in the Mongolian steppe, a vast expanse of grassland that stretches across much of Central Asia.

In My Homeland, he writes:

“The land of pure grasses waving in the breeze,

The land of open steppes full of fantastic mirages.”

These lines highlight the movement and life within the grasslands. The waving grasses suggest a dynamic environment, one that breathes and shifts with the wind. The mention of “fantastic mirages” evokes the mysterious and sometimes illusory qualities of the steppe, where heat and light create shimmering images on the horizon.

Nature as a Reflection of Identity

For Natsagdorj, the natural world is inseparable from personal and national identity. The poem continues:

“The high crowns of snow‑capped mountains shining from afar,

The endless virgin landscape under the clear blue sky.”

Here, the mountains and sky frame the grasslands, creating a vast and majestic setting. The “endless virgin landscape” suggests purity and untouched beauty, reinforcing the idea of homeland as a sacred space.

The Emotional Power of Open Fields

One of the most striking aspects of My Homeland is the way it conveys emotional peace through the image of open fields:

“And the unbounded fields where one’s soul at last finds peace;

This, this is my native land,

The lovely country – My Mongolia.”

The grasslands become more than just scenery; they become a place of belonging.

The Role of Translation in Understanding Natsagdorj’s Work

Because My Homeland is originally written in Mongolian, translations vary in tone and wording. The English excerpts shared here come from versions circulating online, which may differ slightly from the original text. This variation is common in poetry translation, where capturing the exact feeling and rhythm can be challenging.

If you are interested, the original Mongolian text, written in Cyrillic or traditional script, reveals how the imagery works in the native language. Seeing the poem in its original form can offer additional insight into the poet’s use of language and cultural references.