Translations from the Natural World by Les Murray

Translations from the Natural World

Les Murray

The poems here are almost science fiction in feel, yet are based on fact. Each poem is a wonderful, if somewhat difficult, exploration of natural wonders and phenomena. An understanding of science would help in some instances, but is not essential. There are some startling discoveries to be made and even what is already known is shown in a new and exhilarating light.

Extract

By its nobship sailing upside down,
by it inner sexes, by the crystalline
pimplings of its skirts, by the sucked-on
lifelong kiss of its toppling motion

from Mollusc

Parallels
  • The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
  • Life on Earth - BBC documentary with David Attenborough
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Explicit sexual content