Vibrant art and a poetic narration tell the tale of a US Poet Laureate
who spent forty years planting the world's most comprehensive palm tree
forest--and then gave it all away.
All his life, William Stanley searched for a wild place of his own.
Growing up in the straightened-out city blocks of his childhood and
finding some respite in summer trips to a cabin in the woods, William
Stanley yearned for space, fragrant soil, tall trees, and the silence
that surrounds them. In Hawaii, he learned of acres of land depleted
from toxic agricultural practices, and he became determined to restore
that land and create one of the most comprehensive palm gardens in the
world. With hope and lyricism, award-winning poet Carrie Fountain and
artist Chris Turnham tell the enchanting story of famed US Poet Laureate
and ecologist W. S. Merwin, who planted nearly three thousand palm trees
on his property in Hawaii, leaving as his legacy a wild space for
everyone. Budding ecologists--and budding poets--will discover more
about W. S. Merwin's life in an author's note in the back matter.