Writing on Nature & the Ecological Crisis
This interview features poet Hilary Watson discussing her creative process influenced by her interactions with insects. She addresses human perceptions of disgust and superiority over these creatures, emphasizing their collective nature. Watson explores the power of line breaks in poetry while advocating for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the more-than-human world.
For our series of poets and writers on the environment, Julie Runacres discusses her poetry's relationship with herbalism, women, and nature, while highlighting the significance of concrete forms in enhancing meaning and addressing societal perceptions of women and ecology. Read on for more.
In this interview, Lesley Curwen discusses her writing process, particularly in relation to nature and ocean pollution. Her poem "Night on the Yealm" captures a quiet moment on a sailing trip, highlighting immersion in nature. Curwen reflects on the balance between human concerns and nature's forces, emphasizing gratitude and contemplation. Read on for the poem and intriguing interview.
In this interview series on #MoreThanHuman, poet Claire Williamson discusses her connections to Wimbleball Lake, a man-made reservoir marking a lost community. She reflects on themes of grief, nature’s resilience, and magic realism in her poetry, emphasizing the transformative power of the environment and the importance of letting nature evolve organically. Check out this moving poem and discussion!
This interview features poet Rahana K. Ismail discussing her work and the theme of the more-than-human. Ismail emphasizes fluidity in language and places a strong focus on emotion, connection, and the intricacies of life. Her poem "Bottle" exemplifies this approach, blending personal and collective experiences while exploring themes of love and existence in particular environments. Can language be compared to a jungle? Find out more in this mind-expanding interview.
This is an interview with Duriel E. Harris, an acclaimed American poet and editor of Obsidian, discussing her works and the importance of art in response to global conflicts. Harris reflects on joy amid adversity and the potential of writing to provoke change, emphasizing resilience in the face of violence.
This week's interview features Estonian poet Ilmar Lehtpere discussing the complexities of translating poetry, particularly Kersti Merilaas' work. Ilmar emphasizes the moral obligation of translators to represent authors faithfully, while navigating cultural and linguistic differences. Ilmar highlights the importance of translating diverse voices to combat cultural homogenization and promote environmental awareness through literature.
The interview explores Eartha Davis's poetic approach, particularly her work "sgeulachd na h-aibhne" (story of a river). Emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the environment, Davis highlights the significance of Gaelic as a conduit for emotion and meaning. She encourages readers to engage deeply, uncovering narratives that unite humans and nature.
Join Dame Siân Phillips and Welsh poets this Friday, December 6, 2024, at 6.30pm for a discussion inspired by Dafydd ap Gwilym's poem 'To the Snow'. The latest Modron issue is set to release soon, with ongoing prose submissions welcomed. Best wishes from the Modron team for a great month!
This week we meet Mike Jenkins who hails from Merthyr Tudful (Tydfil) and is a former editor of Poetry Wales. Mike has co-edited Red Poets magazine for 30 years, and is winner of many prizes, including Wales Book of the Year for short story collection Wanting to Belong (Seren). His latest books include - as editor - Yer Ower Voices (Culture Matters), the first ever anthology of dialect poetry from throughout Cymru, and Igh Sheriff o Merthyr (Carreg Gwalch), poems in Merthyr dialect.
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