Earth Shattering – eco-poems Edited by Neil Astley Bloodaxe Books 2007 £9.99 ISBN 978 1 85224 774 4
This is not an easy book. It is not a book with twee poems about beautiful nature. Rather it is a challenging collection of works which deal with the struggles of the ecological crisis that we currently face. Although the first section of the book does look at works which explore wilderness, it does so using ancient Chinese poetry, in addition to more usual authors, including Wordsworth and Rilke.
From there, the collection moves to deal with our interference with landscape and nature, addressing extinction, loss and exploitation. Some works I recognise (although not a regular poetry reader), many more I encountered for the first time in this book. The editor has helpfully given background details to the authors, which helps to place their work in context (very helpful for people like me who know nothing about the lives of the many poets quoted).
Having been trying for many years to communicate the enormity of the environmental crisis which faces us, I had come to the conclusion that poetry may be one way in. This book uses poetry from those of many faiths, or none. I used a selection of works from this book in a series of worship sessions at a recent conference. They proved to be a helpful way to engage with the emotion of the situation. Using an anthology such as this can offer a different way in to addressing our distancing from nature, our commodification of creation, and perhaps re-engender a tenderness and love for God’s good creation.
Jo Rathbone, Eco-Congregation
The Woodland Year Ben Law
Permanent Publications, 2008 £19.95 ISBN 978-1-85623-033-9
Ben Law has become the best known woodsman in the UK, living and working in Prickly Nut Wood, Sussex. His books and a previous article in Country Way, have opened up the benefits of a closer understanding of wood and trees and their role in providing a high quality of sustainable living.
This book looks well on a coffee table, but also has a place in the kitchen or your hands before going out with your billhook. An intimate month-by-month account of work in the wood is supplemented by useful information on food from the forest with recipes to cook with it. It contains information about trees and advice on uses for wood that may surprise you.
Colour photographs illuminate the pages from this wise man and other invited contributors who are managing woodlands elsewhere. This book is nearly a complete manual of how to manage and enjoy woodland and is a good read.
Jeremy Martineau
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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