Meet A.E. Lovell: the wildlife poet

Interview

If Wildlife had a Shakespeare, it would certainly be A.E. Lovell.
Anthony captured our hearts all the way from Queensland in Australia with his words evocative of a poetic nature.
Discover the man behind the words in 5 questions...

1. We know you feel strongly about wildlife and its well-being. Please can you tell us where this passion comes from?

A.E.L: It turns out that it is a return to my first love, nature, and the return of the passions of my 10-year-old self. I found a photograph that explained it all to me, and then I realised it, and he, had never left - just been pushed into the background by the flow of life. As a child I wanted to possess lizards, snakes and turtles - now, (very) mature, I want to see them free in their own habitat. Living wild.

2. You use poetry as a medium of expression. Can you tell us more about it?

A.E.L: That was more a surprise to me than anyone else. I started writing on LinkedIn initially about sectors impacted by the early days of the Pandemic. I started engaging and writing comments, and they came out in verses - particularly on wildlife posts. Then the fire was rekindled. I find it easier and more natural to compose in verse.

3. Where does your inspiration come from when you write? Do you follow any particular process?

A.E.L: Mostly visual cues - photographs of wildlife and the stories they accompany. At other times it's when I'm thinkwalking: titles or themes or verses come into my head - sometimes something that is said will provoke a response too. When I sit down to write it is 'stream of consciousness', it just flows and a story unfolds - which is why I'm reluctant to call myself a 'poet'. It is mostly streaming emotive responses to stimuli.

4. Where do you want to bring your poetry in the future? What is your vision for it?

A.E.L: I want to challenge people to do whatever it takes to hold onto the species we still have - especially focussed on the critically endangered - and their habitats and the wonders of nature. I want to use my work to encourage people to create a sanctuary for life on earth - first in their own hearts and minds, and from that sacred place push out its boundaries to the edge of the biosphere: love and respect in action. 'Sacrosanct' is coming.

5. What would you like your legacy to be? How do you envision it?

We need an evolutionary leap-frog in our thinking, jumping right over the thinking blocks crouched down in our way. Primarily we have to see Homo Sapiens as a part of, and dependent on nature - not apart from. We have to live up, and wise up, to our name and start sharing the planet and - in common with other life - living within its ecological boundaries. I would like to think that my writing contributed in some way to this new 'Sanctuary Earth' consciousness.