Darwin's Ark

In celebration of Charles Darwin's bicentennial and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species, Indiana University Press is publishing a new paperback edition of Darwin's Ark, a collection of Philip Appleman's poems on Darwinian themes, stunningly illustrated by internationally known printmaker Rudy Pozzatti.

Philosophical, witty, poignant, deeply intellectual, and lyrical, Appleman's poetry is always clear and powerful. All of the poems reflect Appleman's perception of the "overwhelming sanity" of Darwin's thought--together with a visceral sensation of wholeness--of the connectedness of humans and nature, of the present with the past, of joy and sorrow, life and death. Pozzatti's varied illustrations represent his responses to the poems, providing a mini Darwin bestiary and much more.

"The importance of Darwin to our planet today makes these poems required reading. Philip Appleman's skill and intelligence make them a pleasure as well." --James Merrill

"Appleman illuminates his theme with empathy, understanding, wit, and humor that is often subtle or satirical and always enjoyable. Pozzati's illustrations, while often whimsical, are also realistic and memorable." --Reports of the National Center for Science Education, Sept./Oct. 2010 Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

"The poems in Darwin's Ark were inspired by and grow naturally out of Darwin's work. Whether funny or serious, Appleman's poems are accessible and moving." --Voice of Reason, 2009, no. 1

"A beautiful marriage of word and image--and of intelligence and passion." --Ursula LeGuin

"A very important... work of art, incorporating a high degree of scientific intelligence with beauty and wit." --Kurt Vonnegut Indiana University Press

"Philip Appleman has captured the elusive themes of Darwin's worldview and translated them into items of beauty that also provoke thought." --Stephen Jay Gould, Parnassus

The world of Charles Darwin imagined in poetry and art

Philip Appleman is Distinguished Professor of English Emeritus at Indiana University Bloomington, author of seven volumes of poetry and three novels, including Apes and Angels, and editor of the Norton critical edition Darwin. He lives in East Hampton, New York.

Rudy Pozzatti is Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts Emeritus at Indiana University Bloomington. His artwork is on display in prominent museum collections around the world. He has had frequent one-man shows and has won countless prizes, special print commissions, and awards for his work. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

Acknowledgments

Preface to the Paperback Edition

I. Giants in the Earth

The Skeletons of Dreams

Nostalgie de la Boue

State of Nature

II. The Rust of Civilizations

The Hand-Ax

Darwin on Fourteenth Street

In Andalucia

"Black-Footed Ferret Endangered"

Reading Our Times

After the Faith-Healings

III. Animals Tame and Animals Feral

DARWIN'S BESTIARY

1. The Ant

2. The Worm

3. The Rabbit

4. The Booby and the Noddy

5. The Dog

6. The Gossamer

Mr. Extinction, Meet Ms. Survival

Darwin's Ark

PHOBIAS

1. Gaminophobia

2. Mortiphobia

3. Shamanophobia

4. Locophobia

5. Bacardophobia

6. Phobiophobia

EUPHORIAS

1. Waldorf-Astoria Euphoria

2. Peoria Euphoria

3. Hunkydoria Euphoria

How Evolution Came to Indiana

So Full of a Number of Things

IV. In the Caves of Childhood

How My Light Is Spent

Staying Awake with Darwin

The Descent of Man

Sexual Selection

"Sea Otter Survival Assured"

On the Beagle

The Voyage Home