Science Poetry
Swan Song: Poems of Extinction
by J. Patrick Lewis and Illustrated by Christopher Wormell
Bibliography
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2003. Swan Song: Poems of Extinction. Ill. by Christopher Wormell. Mankato, Minnesota: Creative Editions.
ISBN: 9781568461755
Book Review
The world can be a cruel and uncaring place for animals which inhabit the planet Earth alongside human beings. J. Patrick Lewis uncovers the dramatic and heart wrenching facts that have evoked some of the most beautiful and majestic animals to completely and literally disappear from the face of Earth forever. Through a collection of factual and thought provoking poems, Lewis presents just enough information for the reader to fully understand the serious repercussions of man’s ignorance concerning the animal kingdom which surrounds us. Learning the reasons behind these extinctions, will leave the reader feeling angry and bitter towards those who inflicted pain and eventual death on these innocent creatures. Lewis’ somber tone which pervades throughout every single poem will definitely ensure these feelings.
Equally impressive, are the endnotes located at the end of the book which provide greater details of the reasons behind the pain and agony inflicted on these animals during a gradual process, which led to immanent extinction. Lewis’ inclusion of endnotes adds further details for readers to fully grasp the conditions and reasons for the deaths of these beloved creatures. The endnote covering the poem “Stellar’s Sea Cow,” tells of how these animals would surround a fellow harpooned cow for protection, and would usually end up succumbing to the massacre as well. Scientific information and extinction dates precede each poem to give readers additional proof of their existence. A helpful timeline located at the bottom of each page accompanies these poems to give readers a sample of actual events that happened as these animals met their doom.
Unique charcoaled colored illustrations accentuate each poem and equally adds to the essence of the entire book. The soft buttercream hues found within the timeline further gives the representation of pine wood after it has been freshly cut into strong robust boards. Thick sturdy pages give the reader a direct sensation of a woody feel to match the beautifully etched wood engravings of illustrator Christopher Wormell. This effect allows each picture to act as a memoriam for the now deceased species as it further carries Lewis‘ message of urgency through his poems.
Poem Excerpt
Scientific information and extinction date:
Hydrodamalis gigas Extinct c. 1767 Bering Sea
Steller’s Sea Cow
Big as a mastodon, a cow
Fed for a month three dozen men.
Three dozen men it took to hook
And haul the beast to land, and when
They’d hack with knives and bayonets
Great strips of blubber, there she’d lie
Unmoving on the ice, and let
Out something like a human sigh.
Discovered, 1741,
She dwarfed all creatures of the sea,
Except the whale, so let us toast
Sea cows in their enormity.
Timeline:
1800 - Italian physicist Alessandro Volta invents the voltaic cell, making electric batteries possible.
1800 - The armies of French emperor Napolean Bonaparte cross the Pennine Alps and conquer Italy.
Extensions
After listening and reading poems like “Steller’s Sea Cow” in Swan Song, children will feel compelled to ensure the protection of animals currently listed as endangered species. Students can research an endangered animal and write facts about its habitat and the reasons for possible extinction. These facts or statements can be transformed into poetry to be displayed during the month of April when special events like National Poetry Month and Earth Day are both recognized. Beautiful illustrations can accompany these poems much like those presented in Lewis’ book.
Introduce children to the actual meaning of “swan song.” Web sites like The Phrase Finder not only give the meaning of such phrases, but also the origin.
The Phrase Finder
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/swan-song.html
Check out other science poetry books by J. Patrick Lewis:
Earth Verses and Water Rhymes - ISBN 9780689316937
Earth & Me: Our Family Tree: Nature’s Creatures - ISBN 1584690313
Earth & Us: Continuous: Nature’s Past & Future - ISBN 1584690240
Earth & You: A Closer View: Nature’s Features - ISBN 158469016X
Galileo’s Universe - ISBN 9781568461830
God Made the Skunk - ISBN 9780972282017
Little Buggers: Insect and Spider Poems - ISBN 9780803717695
Scientrickery: Riddles in Science - ISBN 9780152166816
Image Source: Amazon.com