Marc Petrie’s new book, from the
Anthropocene, continues his track record of poetic excellence in
three previous collections. But this book has more urgency, and a bit of
an edge, as Petrie delves into matters of increasing import,
particularly the ravages of climate change and man’s deadly disregard
for the "grief for what we are now losing," as Petrie details our
environmental devastation. In compelling imagery, Petrie evokes past
natural wonders and details their moribund status now. His heart dredges
up other painful memories, too, such as child abuse, drug addiction, and
loss of loved ones, but he hews with poetic integrity to his mission in
this book, which is attention to what is "real and authentic" and
how community can best serve that. Bravo to Marc Petrie.
Thelma T. Reyna
Poet Laureate in
Altadena, CA (2014-2016), editor Altadena Poetry Review
Anthology, and the anthology, When the Virus Came
Calling: COVID-19 Strikes America. She is the author of 20 collections
of poetry
and short stories.
From Petrie’s personal study of the
Anthropocene, he creates powerful poems that show how humankind has
slowly and carelessly destroyed thousands of miles of the great oceans,
and rivers, of the world, and the life that dwelled there. He walked the
coast and forest where he observed the wildlife that populated these
natural territories and watched construction companies build
neighborhoods with $1,000,000 homes for families to park their polluting
cars and gas-burning fireplaces. When the great winds came, Petrie
observed ravaging forest fires burn thousands of acres of forest and
natural fauna and hundreds of homes. In one of his outstanding prose
poems, Petrie declares "We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were
witnessing the first massive atmospheric river brought about by climate
change." Anthropocene, a term unknown in 1969, is used to describe,
analyze, and interpret the transformed conditions in which humans now
live.
Alejandro Morales
Author of
River of Angeles, The Brick People and Zapote Tree.
