Lit Hub: On Earth Day, Turning to Poetry for Hope

Looking back on this article written several years ago during the pandemic, https://lithub.com/on-earth-day-turning-to-poetry-for-hope/ I am reminded how much has changed in some ways, and yet so little in others, and how  poetry and other arts can touch our hearts and open us up to facing and addressing climate change with courage. This was my thesis for Here: Poems for the Planet (Copper Canyon Press, Earth Day, 2019), and it is my thesis to this day.

At the outset of his presidency, President Biden brought the U.S. back into the Paris Climate Accords. And yet, the world has failed to limit post-industrial temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a crucial measurement. There IS nonetheless progress that can inspire us and give us courage to act. https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/11/most-people-dont-realize-how-much-progress-weve-made-on-climate-change/ 

Now climate change is back on the ballot, and still we avert our eyes to this existential threat. I believe, as I wrote then, poetry can leave us stirred and ready to act, regardless of how much we’ve turned to poetry in the past, and regardless of political affiliation. It can help us not look away, tempting as that is.

I am not a scientist and am as confused by the science and overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge as the next person, but as a poet, lawyer and grandmother of four, I feel an enormous motivation to do my part, tempted as I am to turn away. Let’s let poetry and the other arts help us face climate change and address it with courage.

 As @leeherrick writes,

I feel like the saints are marching.
They are singing a slow, deep and beautiful song,
waiting for us to join in.