There can be a catch to reading poets who are not environmentalists -- they
may appreciate environment, but not always as we might want them to.
In secondary school we read Robert Frost's "Swinging on Birches" about the
experience of climbing a birch tree to the very top, then swinging out into
space and letting the tree serve as a sort of bungee cord. This is one way
to enjoy nature, but it damages the tree permanently (and if it breaks, the
swinger can also suffer). The teacher urged us to try this once, but only
once -- sort of a compromise.
Bill Silvert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kelly Stettner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] summer reading with an environmental theme
To that end, I humbly recommend some of the works of Robert Frost, Emily
Dickinson, and others...reach back for some classics. Reading them aloud
and discussing their meaning whilst sitting in the great outdoors can be
very powerful. Next to a quietly ambling river, in the middle of a
wind-rippled meadow, or under the cooling canopy of a maple tree, have
them close their eyes and...listen. Smell. Touch. And read.
