“…this anthology feels as much like a group prayer as it does like a book.” ~ Melissa Studdard
Paws Healing The Earth(poetry anthology) was officially launched on April 20th, 2021, in an online event premiered on YouTube hosted by River Paw Press.
The book launch was attended by honored guests and Paws Healing The Earth contributors: Christopher Merrill, Lee Upton, Melissa Studdard, William O’Daly, Xánath Caraza, Amata Natasha Goldie, and the editor of the anthology Kalpna Singh-Chitnis. The event was emceed by River Paw Press team members Nirvan Chitnis and Vishwa Chitnis.
The chief guest, Christopher Merrill, officially launched the book by unveiling the print copy of Paws Healing The Earth, which came wrapped in a ceremonial Indian cloth. The image of Troy, the Lhasa Apso, was hand-printed on the fabric by IWP, The University of Iowa (Between the Lines) alumna, and fashion model Vishwa Chitnis to honor the canine, who inspired the anthology.
The editor of Paws Healing The Earth,Kalpna Singh-Chitnis, shared the story behind Paws Healing The Earth and the core belief of River Paw Press.
The guests of honor congratulated the contributing poets and the editor of Paws Healing The Earth in their speech and read their personal statements and poems from the collection as a tribute to all animals and wildlife.
“…it seems to me that Paws Healing The Earth is an effort by poets from everywhere to give us a sense of how to be a part of the Search Party (of W.S. Merwin’s lost dog ), how to find that kind of meaning that in its way can help us to heal the earth.” ~ Christopher Merrill
Reflecting on Paws Healing The Earth, poet Melissa Studdard said that “…this anthology feels as much like a group prayer as it does like a book.”She also mentioned how poets in their language can voice the concerns of animals and their threatened existence.
Paws Healing The Earth Book Launch
“…animals teach us everything we seek to be as humans. Their presence is a gift of unconditional love, loyalty, compassion, devotion, joy, and peace.” ~ Amata Natasha Goldie
Christopher Merrill read an important piece in which he spoke of the time he spent at W.S. Merwin‘s ranch in Maui. He read his poem, “Search Party,” that Merwin wrote after one of his dogs was kidnapped on the island –
“By now I know most of the faces that will appear beside me as long as there are still images I know at last what I would choose the next time if there ever was a time again I know the days that open in the dark like this I do not know where Maoli is…” ~W.S. Merwin
He added that “…it seems to me that Paws Healing The Earth is an effort by poets from everywhere to give us a sense of how to be a part of the search party, how to find that kind of meaning that in its way can help us to heal the earth.”
Lee Upton said that she was honored to be a part of the project with so many remarkable poets. She also expressed her concerns about animals imperiled through deforestation, wildfire, climate change, and many different threats. Moreover, how animals brought healing during the pandemic.
“I hope that the fallen leaves, Mayan Gods and Goddesses, the wind, the hummingbird, and the liquid serpent of jade accompany your steps on every one of these poems in Paws Healing the Earth.” ~ Xánath Caraza
William O’Daly read a piece about how he related to animals when he was a child, and now he thinks it is necessary to celebrate them.
Australian poet Amata Natasha Goldie reminded that “…animals teach us everything we seek to be as humans. Their presence is a gift of unconditional love, loyalty, compassion, devotion, joy, and peace.” Amata also mentioned herself as the caretaker of animals she rescues from the shelter, mostly old animals with health issues.
Xánath Caraza honored all sacred animals and their spirit in her poetry. She talked about animals in cultural contexts, exploring her Mayan and Aztec roots in East Mexico. At the end of her speech, she said a prayer – “I hope that the fallen leaves, Mayan Gods and Goddesses, the wind, the hummingbird, and the liquid serpent of jade accompany your steps on every one of these poems in Paws Healing the Earth.”
In the second half of the event, the honored guests read their poems from the anthology evoking deep emotions and empathy for the animal world. Kalpna Singh-Chitnis read Robert Pinsky‘s poem “Door,” featured in Paws Healing The Earth, to honor and express her gratitude to the two terms US poet laureate for supporting the book. She also read the poem “The Mockingbird” (a traditional Acoma Pueblo song) translated by Jennifer Reeser to say a special thanks to the poet and honor her native roots. Vishwa Chitnis and Nirvan Chitnis read two poems from the anthology to celebrate their rescued dog Hachi and a Red Fox Family.
“…O kitty, If the doors Of perception were cleansed All things would appear as they are,
Infinite. Come in, darling, drowse Comfortably near my feet…” ~Robert Pinsky
At the end of the ceremony, Kalpna Singh-Chitnis read her two poems: “Epiphany,” dedicated to her family dog, Troy, the inspiration behind the book, and the title poem of the anthology“Paws Healing The Earth,” in which she discovers her animal-selves and forest as her home.
More than a poetry anthology Paws Healing The Earth, is a modest effort to raise awareness about animal rights. The contributing poets, through their poems, discover the sacredness of our natural environment and honor all the animals who share the planet with us.
Paws Healing The Earth features seventy-five animal poems by forty-four new and established poets from across the world. The book is available on major online book retailers internationally and at the official website of River Paw Press.
Through Paws Healing The Earth, River Paw Press wants to give back to the community to help animals. For information on charitable donations, please contact River Paw Press.
You once were many, but now you are few, Now, you are refugees in your own land, Your families were lost as you fled, Your forests burnt to the ground, As the winds howled, Carrying the screams of death, Throughout your once green paradise
You are our furry friends, Our feathered friends, Our scaly and winged creatures, You dwell in the native bushland of Australia, Keeping the balance of the ecosystem, Tending to your families, Fleeing from predators,
But now blackened bush, like sticks of charcoal Are the remnants of your homeland, And whole generations of species Are no longer, Stolen by the tsunami of the fires that spread relentlessly And those that remain have become refugees In their own land that once supported life
Once there was a symphony of cicadas and birdsong, And a gentle rustling through the bush, As the furry friends made their way through, Now there are no animal homes,
No nests for the birds, No branches for the koalas, No greenery for the kangaroos, No food, and no peaceful place to rest upon
The elders know this land, A sacred connection, unbroken But this ancient knowledge, is not consulted by the laws of the West And 46 million acres were burnt, And one billion animals were lost, And fires burned not for days, or weeks, but months And we as a nation, mourned your loss
You are our winged, scaly, furry and feathered friends You once were many, but now you are few
Join us for the launch of the “Paws Healing The Earth, the first poetry anthology of River Paw Press on Tuesday, April 20th. The event will take place at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fud0XZLqRQU
“Paws Healing The Earth” is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online stores worldwide. River Paw Press is offering FREE SHIPPING worldwide until April 30th. If you want to get a copy of the book for yourself, follow the link – http://riverpawpress.com/index.php/paws-healing-the-earth/
We hope you can join us for the launch and reading of “Paws Healing The Earth” to celebrate our environment, animals, and wildlife. Individual reading series will follow after the official launch of the book. Thank you, all! #environment#animals#wildlife#earth#poetry#NationalPoetryMonth
Join us for the launch of the “Paws Healing The Earth, the first poetry anthology of River Paw Press on Tuesday, April 20th. The event will take place at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fud0XZLqRQU
“Paws Healing The Earth” is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online stores worldwide. River Paw Press is offering FREE SHIPPING worldwide until April 30th. If you want to get a copy of the book for yourself, follow the link – http://riverpawpress.com/index.php/paws-healing-the-earth/
We hope you can join us for the launch and reading of “Paws Healing The Earth” to celebrate our environment, animals, and wildlife. Individual reading series will follow after the official launch of the book. Thank you, all! #environment#animals#wildlife#earth#poetry#NationalPoetryMonth
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