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New Voices Amplify UK Nature Poetry Canon
22 Aug
Summary
- Anthology Nature Matters showcases diaspora African, Asian, Caribbean voices.
- New movement challenges traditional nature poetry's pastoral ownership.
- Poets link nature writing to climate crisis and societal inclusivity.
A burgeoning movement of eco-poets from the UK's black and brown communities is actively reshaping the landscape of nature poetry. The anthology Nature Matters, co-edited by Mona Arshi, emerged from a viral social media query about the underrepresentation of black and Asian nature writers.
This collection aims to increase visibility for poets whose work has been historically overlooked or not framed as nature poetry. The anthology's uptake in universities and schools signifies a growing interest in diverse environmental perspectives, moving beyond the established white, Western tradition.
The new wave of nature poets addresses the destruction of ecosystems due to global heating and exploitation. Their work scrutinizes the pastoral tradition, questioning access and ownership within the genre.
Poets like Jason Allen-Paisant and Mona Arshi emphasize that contemporary nature writing is inextricably linked to the climate catastrophe, a stark contrast to the Romantic poets' era. This approach enriches the genre by challenging historical divisiveness related to class, region, and ethnicity.
Academics like Professor Ralph Pite highlight how these poets assert a universal right to engage with nature, thereby democratizing the genre. Arshi's personal experiences of alienation from the countryside, as a child from a Sikh Punjabi family near Heathrow, underscore the significance of this inclusivity.
Associate Professor Jos Smith notes that Nature Matters is a long-overdue contribution, bringing a new level of complexity to British eco-poetry by problematizing nationhood and language. The anthology's impact is amplified through its use in educational settings.
