If Wildlife had a Shakespeare, it would certainly be Anthony E. Lovell. Based in Queensland, Australia, Anthony captures our hearts and prompts tears in equal measure with his poetry dedicated to “The One Million” species currently endangered globally.

Discover the man and his purpose behind the verses.

I Want To Use My Work To Encourage People To Create A Sanctuary For Life On Earth

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?

A.E.L: 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.