An ecopoem is a poem that is presenting a clear message that is about nature and helps demonstrate the social issues going on in the environment. The ecopoem’s purpose is to share a message on what is wrong in the non-human part of society. We get to see and determine how our relationship with nature is and how it affects them positively and negatively. Usually ecopoems try to focus on the negative aspect of our relationship, so readers can try to fix and get the message that something needs to change so we can help our environment. As examining an ecopoem and two articles about ecopoetry, I identify that ecopoetry tries to raise awareness about the environment and a plan to do better.
The poem, “On a day, In the World” By Brenda Hillman is a poem about the gloom and doom of nature and human relationship. For starters, the poem states “when i think of time on earth,/i feel the angle of gray minutes/entering the medium days” (Hillman). The author speaks on the way of how being on Earth is dark and each minute passing is gray and sorrowful. There is only negativity occurring in the Earth right now because of the harm being placed upon nature. Hillman like other ecopoetry writers is trying to bring awareness and help make a positive change into the world without explicitly putting it out there. In continuation, the essay “Nature and Panic: Can beauty save us?” by C.K. Williams is a detailed article on his take on ecopoetry and nature. William starts off his essay by stating that the first demonstration of “any human doings with nature other than utilitarian artifacts for hunting and fishing are the Paleolithic paintings in caves” (pg 1). He starts off describing an innocent nature/human relationship. However, he then turns and explains his daydreams of his ancestors suffering and struggling because of nature’s threats to their lives. William depicts how droughts, weather, and predators would have made life a long time ago very hard to live and survive for long in. Although depicts this type of lifestyle, the paintings he describes states otherwise and shows the majestic and beautiful side of nature. Throughout his essay, William seems to point out the negativity of the future to come. For example, he writes, “Last year, I realized one day that every poem I was writing, or attempting to write, had global warming and its consequences either as its overt or implied theme” (pg 2). His writing depicts a negative narrative of global warming and the consequences if people continue to do the bare minimum for the Earth. He envisions a dark future for children and grandchildren to come. He continues by saying that, “Sometimes I’m depressed beyond writing or saying anything at all; I fall into a funk that threatens never to end” (pg 2). His pessimistic and hopeless view for life that is to come is unshakeable. He seems to not be able to erase those ideas and visions from his head or writing. William then goes on a long winded thought on beauty and how it affects people differently based on what their definition of beauty is. He ends his essay by stating, “The world, though, is still ours to cherish, and ours to protect” (pg 4). His ending words are very special and an important call to action. He is trying to persuade people to help give effort in protecting our earth. The Earth is special and it is ours to help and keep safe so it is liveable for our future generations.
John Shoptaw’s introduction to his article on Ecopoetry basically summarises the essence of what ecopoetry is and how it represents the beauty of the non-human world. Ecopoetry not only includes nature, but it also includes animals and how they are unified as a whole. Shoptaw believes that ecopoems are not only about the words of nature but it goes above and beyond to where it explains things to another level of just figurative and thematics. He shares that ecopoets cannot shy away from perception or poetic representation. Ecopoetry is to bring awareness and have knowledge on environmental issues. Shoptaw doesn’t think to be unaware of certain issues is effective to being an ecopoet. He continues his discussion on ecopoetry by saying it must be very environmental and to distinguish from other forms you must focus on details. Shoptaw views the poem as not only thematic or theoretical but also rhetorical. Throughout the entire article Shoptaw discusses his ideas on how ecopoetry functions and his opinions on what ecopoetry is defined as. He then continues to state a personal opinion on morality and how teaching a tiresome lesson can get repetitive and boring. Teaching a lesson many have heard before makes people disinterested. The lack of new aspects makes the poem inefficient and pointless. No one likes to be told the same thing over and over again. Overall, Shoptaw produces a detailed article on why ecopoetry is needed and how to do ecopoetry efficiently. Based on his opinions there is specifics to go into and details to leave out. The poem should not be focused or try to include humans because nature should be the center of attention.
To conclude, it is important to remember the essence of ecopoetry is to create a message and bring awareness. The environment and human relationship is important and is a two way street. Humans hurt the Earth and pollute it. However, mother nature also gives humans extremely cold and extremely hot weather and natural disasters that harm people and homes. In the end, ecopoetry brings a new sense of purpose tpo writing in helping influence people for the greater future of others to come.

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