The Earth Speaks: An Acclimatization Journal

by Steve Van Matre (Editor), Bill Weiler (Editor)

A collection of images and impressions captured by those who have listened to the earth with their hearts --- John Muir, Walt Whitman, Annie Dillard, John Burroughs, Rachel Carson, Aldo Leopold, Henry David Thoreau, and more... The Earth Speaks can be read by individuals in moments of solitude, shared among friends around a trailside campfire, and used by leaders to help their learners develop a love for life and the systems of the earth that sustain it. Brought to life by the beautiful block prints of Gwen Frostic, this book contains the writings of naturalists and natives, poets and philosophers, plus ordinary people who were able to capture in words some of the magic and meaning of the earth's marvels.

Genres: Poetry, Nature, Science, Environment, Nonfiction, Essays, Anthologies

187 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1983

Reviews

[Kalena ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars, reminded me why I love earth

"The earth laughs in flowers" (1)

Some of these poems, and essays, were really beautiful and served to remind me why I love living on planet earth. Sometimes we really do get caught up in too many things, and have to take some time to breathe and remember that nature is here for us. I think this is a great resource for anyone looking to write, or read poetry, relating to climate change and the preservation of the earth.

It was inspirational and a fast read and I can't wait until it's warm again so I can get out in nature and appreciate it once more. Lovely poetry book and lovely resource for reminding yourself the earth loves you.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of poems from many poets we know and love about our beautiful earth and I absolutely enjoyed reading it. I loved it so much, I had to immediately pass it on to another soul who loves the great outdoors.

[Caroline Oetting · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 precious words passed from mountains to rivers to desert places. sweetness.

[Laurel Wanrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've owned a copy since my college days in the early 80s, derived lots of inspiration from the nature readings and poems while studying to be a naturalist.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

See Jennifer's review.

This is a collection by Steve Van Matre (assembled by Bill Weiler) of various articles and poetry. Parts of this book must be studied, and yet other parts seem almost simplistic, but, well, maybe not(?). I personally had difficulty reading thru the looonnng pieces; they seemed entirely too preachy to me. But the short ones, or the ones by Helen Keller, Shel Silverstein, Dag Hammarskjold, Chief Seattle, Seng-ts'an, and oh, Hyemeyohsts Storm's Jumping Mouse story, these spoke to me!

Some excerpts:
"If you understand, things are just as they are. If you do not understand, things are just as they are." Zen verse.
"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." Kahlil Gibran

Highly recommended.

[Eman Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of poetry and prose about the earth. Especially now, as we watch the earth burn as a result of cooperations and capitalism, reading this book about appreciating the earth feels so nostalgic and sweet.
I read this book during a summer where temperatures have rarely gone below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But, today it rained and I got to sit outside and read “The Earth Speaks” surrounded by nature in the cool rain.
Highly recommend. This collection makes you find the love and joy of nature every child grows up with and the appreciation every human should have.

[Shahna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the whole experience of the book. The pieces chosen all fit very nicely together and I like the simple illustrations. Everything is about the environment and nature and it very much speaks to me. I like this kind of shit. Although published in 1983, the thoughts expressed here are extremely valid for today, 

[April Amelung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book as my morning devotional. It did take me awhile to finish reading it, but it was one of those books that you read to bring encouragement and to get your mind off of the problems of this world in which we have to live in. The choices of verse and essays were perfect. I loved this book and will put it on my list of gifts for loved ones.

[Olivia Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of beautiful poetry and pieces. I did have a hard time understanding some of the pieces. I enjoyed the pieces that I could feel something from and could imagine what the authors meant and where trying to portray through metaphors. There is definitely a lot to learn from this book and I think everyone should read it once.

[Elizabeth O'Guin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poems and stories and anecdotes dedicated to the Earth’s magic, wisdom, and spirit. My personal favorite sections were magic and wisdom. Published in 1983, reading some of the older collected passages were a bit jarring, but the same love for the earth was displayed in the words nonetheless.

[Teragon Bearyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful piece(s) of literature that I think everyone needs to read. It’s a book full of people admiring the beauties and rarities of our natural world surely an experience all of us earthlings can share with one another. I think if we were as people more in tune with nature the world would be a very different place. Seriously, read it.

[Susan Grimshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pity that it has taken so long after the publication of this book to realise how badly we have been destroying Earth, serious measures should have started years and years ago to save our planet.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I found hard to get into at first, as I am not super big into poetry, and really like nonfiction instead, but once I got into it I really enjoyed hearing of some of the stories included in the book, and finished it quickly once I got into it.

[Judy Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book!

[Abhigyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for nature lover people

[Carter Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful!!! Perceptions of the earth, born from some of the most beautiful minds!

[Norveig Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went back to it again and again for inspiration

[Claudia Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful little bedtime book

[Hope Applegate · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 loved
So so so good. I took photos of almost every page. So cute and perfect and an easy read. The commentary that opened each section was so spot on. Loved

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Jess Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this in the in the grass, on a hike, under the sun…anywhere outdoors. it’s an essential for those who are outdoorsy in a non-superficial way.

[Artie Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful excerpts from various sources on our still-beautiful Earth. When I first read this book a couple of years ago, it felt to me like a farewell note. But now (June 2020) with the air clearing in places like Delhi because of the lockdowns, and more and more people realizing how important it is to see blue sky during the day and stars at night--Earth might still have a fighting chance.

A sample quote: "The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives." (Indian proverb)

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and cute. Lots of good poems in this book. I’ll be going back to read it again in my life.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reread this book during a camping trip (the perfection arena for the content) looking for inspirational quotes for a presentation. Although I did not succeed in finding a suitable quote, it did offer quite a few inspirational reflections. The book is divided into three sections; Earth Magic, Earth Wisdom, and Earth Spirit with an intro. explanation from the author, Steve Van Matre. Some inclusions may seem like the contributers spent too much time dancing in pixie dust but overall it is a reminder of or introduction to our connection to the Earth. Favorite passages of mine include "The Call of the Wild" by Robert Service, pg. 19 and "Have You Heard the Cricket Song" by Winston Abbott, pg.161 and of course Wendell Berry's "To Know the Dark". A classic I've recited prior to every night hike I've led since 1999 to explain why one should not bring or shine a light during a night hike.
Enjoy the journey.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book today to leaf through since it's been sitting on my shelf untouched for year. It was time to give it some attention and affection. I first encountered this book on a trip when someone read pieces of it aloud. Those excerpts hit me hard at the time and so I bought myself a copy. This was all back in high school. Reading the book today, I had the same experience. There are a number of cliched poems in this book and there are a number of well-known texts that I've read (and loved) again and again, but there are also some obscure gems that just simply made me feel good inside. My favorite is "The Journey Home," by Ed Abbey, but that's no surprise.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother gave me this book. In fact, she loved it so much she gave it to pretty much everyone she knew. It is beautiful.

This is a book of short prose and poetry about the earth by various writers, from Walt Whitman to Rachel Carson to Thoreau to Gary Snyder. It's divided into three sections: Earth Magic, Earth Wisdom, and Earth Spirit. Here's a piece by Gibran:

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

This book becomes more and more relevant as we become more aware of our relationship to the earth.

[Cassandra Carico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this collection of essays and poems about the gardening and Earth centered activities. There are writings from various well known authors as Li Po, Shel Silverstein, and Walt Whitman. This is an easy, gentle read.

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love nature, poetry, and philosophy
this is a must read!

[Liz casarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book of thoughts and sayings about the earth by some historical authors

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my bible when I was an outdoor school counselor. So profound... :)