The Poetic Species: A Conversation with Edward O Wilson and Robert Hass
This brief but resonating conversation records a tolerant and explorative exchange of ideas on the forces of biology, the use of poetry to witness the majesty of these forces, and the manner in which they can manifest in society to repay the initial debt to nature. Poetry offers a medium through which to understand, even appreciate, the ‘red of tooth and claw’ face of nature. Poetry also enables its practitioners and readers to make leaps of logic and perception to better appraise nature and ourselves.
Or that’s at least the way I enjoyed this little volume and, like poetry, I am sure interpretations will be myriad. ‘The Poetic Species’ also provides a summary and introduction to some of the works of Wilson and to some of the poets who have beheld nature. That is a lot to offer in not much more than an hour’s read.