A[not]her Nature

Abstract

A[not]her Nature is a collection of collage poems (centos) written in response to environmental issues. The language in many of these poems is drawn from, or responds to, seminal works of nature writing in an attempt to consider, question, illuminate, and sometimes even subvert the ways nature has historically been characterized and understood. Recycling the words of other works engages with the idea of the cycles of decay and rebirth in the natural world, as well as the act of recycling as a direct and personal means of addressing aspects of the current ecological crisis. The ever-increasing urbanization of the world’s population keeps many people in our cities from experiencing nature firsthand. Even the nature that shows itself in the city goes unnoticed, unappreciated. Many people simply have no interest in saving the planet, partially—if not fully—because they have little or no connection with the beauties and wonders of the natural world. This work aims to create an emotional connection between the reader and the world of nature, hopefully infusing a new sense of care for all of creation.