I received the following query from a pretty important international
magazine today, and am wanting help in making a reasonable response:
Mr. Vincent, as a poet, we would like to know your view on how poems may be
used in response to seeming apocalyptic world conditions. As you have no
doubt noticed the following:
1. Last spring's Asian Tsunami and its devastation of coastal communities
from Thailand to Sri Lanka.
2. The break-up of the Artic ice-cap - as a result of Global Warming - and
the threat of enveloping ocean levels on European and eastern coastal
American cities.
3. The Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the massive destruction of the Gulf
Coast, including the almost disappearance of City of New Orleans.
4. The devastating killer earthquake in Pakistan and Kashmir.
5. The potential deadly human and global plague from avian virus' now just
arriving in foul from Southeast Asia in Romania and Turkey, and the virus'
looming, arrival in Europe and the Americas.
The letter goes to further alert me that the journal has heard from sources
within the Bush Administration. Currently, apparently, Administration
officials - so terrified of these various natural signs - has a secret
internal group that is now developing plans to wage an all out Attack on
Nature. Clear-Cutting strategies are being mounted to take on every major
global forest. Concrete companies will be enlisted to fill wetlands wherever
they may be found. Bombs are being prepared to be dropped into the upper
atmosphere to alter the direction of hurricanes. Mountain tops will be
leveled and the plateaus will licensed to mining companies. And these are
just a few examples. The intention is to bring Nature to its knees before
devastation can be released by its evil generating force.
As a poet, the letter goes on to say, you and your comrade poets will
undoubtedly have some a response to the Administration's developing plans.
But - beyond what the President and inner-circle may pray to achieve - as a
poet what is your response - individually and collectively - to the apparent
apocalyptic constellation of forces that are now seeming to pour their wrath
(collective or otherwise) on to the Globe?? Legendarily poets are associated
with casting powerful spells - but even those devices seem a little weak in
proportion to current events. What may you possibly write or do?
Admittedly this was a strange letter, even if a timely one, to receive from
anybody. It even went on to say that there were some in the Bush
Administration who were actually exciting about seeing the Globe - as we
know it - come to what they consider a Rapturous Finale. "But there are
always a few very sick ones in any Administration," they added
I will appreciate anybody's positive feedback here. I - as I am sure you
would - want to come up with a workable response, one that would, at least,
put the Globe back on some friendlier terms than recent.
Thanks,
Stephen Vincent
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