Review of Dear Human at the Edge of Time: Poems on Climate Change in the United States (2023) by Emma Commons (excerpt from a final paper submitted to Professor Tracy Rice Weber)
Emma Commons is a sophomore at Christopher Newport University studying Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology. Emma plans to pursue a career in the health field. Alongside her love for science, she is passionate about the fight against climate change and helping spread the message to others.
“The invisible string theory depicts the idea that the universe has tiny, little threads that transcend time— joining things destined to fuse. This theory, often used as a cliché, reflects a much deeper meaning of humanity. The string represents an emotional connection between its two adjacent ends and the idea that ties the cord so the ends can meet….
Empathy, on the most comprehensive level, is the ability to understand and connect with others. When a person is described as empathetic, it indicates that they are intuitive, sensitive, compassionate, and a person who someone can turn to. This is a quality many strive to have; it’s a tool within the mind that allows you to bind with the minds of others, broadening perspectives.
Behind the tragedy that triumphs media coverage, empathy is displayed all around us. On a global view, we see Red Cross volunteers rescuing hurricane survivors, Greta Thunberg fighting for climate change, and social media campaigns for humanitarian crises. On an everyday basis, we see friends confiding in one another, a young girl rescuing the oldest dog from the shelter, or a professor checking in on a student who has been missing class.
Empathy is typically shown through actions but can also be delivered through the arts. Drawings, songs, sculpture, dance, writing, and photography are all examples of expressive art. Poetry is one of the most vulnerable forms of conveying how one feels….
Alongside encapsulating one’s thoughts, poetry has the power to initiate change. The craft choices intertwined throughout a poem create an invisible string between the poet and author, tying them together on an emotional level to share ideas and promote mutual understanding. This connection, brought upon by a singular poem, can create a thread of empathy used to combat something as lethal as climate change….
It will take decades of work to combat the irreversible effects of climate change; however, the more people who believe in the power of working towards a better environment, the quicker we can work. Luisa Igloria uses her passion to fuel a drive for change within people— to promote their inner empathetic side to help the Earth. More exposure to her work, and poems similar, will gain traction in the movement of using empathy as a tool for change. As stated by environmental activist Joanna Macy, ‘If we allow ourselves to truly feel the pain of a world in peril, empathy can fuel the courage and creativity needed to change it.’”
