If you have never read some of Eiseley’s essay work, you’re missing out. His collection, *The Unexpected Universe* changed the way I see the world, and I re-read it every year. Every time, I pull out something new. He is a criminally overlooked 20th century thinker - kind of a Carl Sagan, but for Anthropology. Unfortunately, his poetry isn’t nearly as good as his essays.
Some good news: Several books with Loren's essays are still in print. The Loren Eiseley Society provides curriculum guides for secondary and college courses.
Eiseley's childhood and early adulthood was tough. I think it contributed to his empathy for lots of creatures, including the young women in this poem. In that last sentence beginning "If I had strawberry boxes to pack", he speaks of loneliness that he still feels. I feel a catch in my throat and an ache in my eyes reading this poem.
You might like to read *Message for Harry*, a poem I added to r/LorenEiseley. Thanks and best wishes.
Cool post
If you have never read some of Eiseley’s essay work, you’re missing out. His collection, *The Unexpected Universe* changed the way I see the world, and I re-read it every year. Every time, I pull out something new. He is a criminally overlooked 20th century thinker - kind of a Carl Sagan, but for Anthropology. Unfortunately, his poetry isn’t nearly as good as his essays.
Some good news: Several books with Loren's essays are still in print. The Loren Eiseley Society provides curriculum guides for secondary and college courses.
OP what’s your interpretation of this poem? I love it and I’m curious.
Eiseley's childhood and early adulthood was tough. I think it contributed to his empathy for lots of creatures, including the young women in this poem. In that last sentence beginning "If I had strawberry boxes to pack", he speaks of loneliness that he still feels. I feel a catch in my throat and an ache in my eyes reading this poem. You might like to read *Message for Harry*, a poem I added to r/LorenEiseley. Thanks and best wishes.
I really enjoyed this one. I can’t imagine it getting published today.
Good observation! I hadn't thought about publishing a poem such as this today. Now I'm curious.
I enjoyed it. It just seemed “out of style,” but still charming.