University of Virginia Library

Ecology Hero

Mr. Snyder is reputed as a
symbol and hero of the
ecology movement. An early
predictor that "the soil and
human sensibilities may erode
away forever, even without a
great war," he has argued
vehemently and persuasively
that "civilization has
something to learn from the
primitive."

"As a poet," Mr. Snyder
says, "I hold the most archaic
values on earth. They go back
to the late Paleolithic; the
fertility of the soil, the magic
of animals, the power vision in
solitude, the terrifying
initiation and rebirth; the love
and ecstasy of the dance, the
common work of the tribe."

Mr. Snyder's principal
poetic works include "Myths
and Texts," "Six Sections from
Mountains and Rivers without
end," "The Back Country,"
and "Regarding Wave."