44. We are going to see the rabbit
Posted by T. T. and P. R. in July 2021.
The English poet, Alan Brownjohn (1931- ), wrote an intriguing and quite impressive poem entitled We are going to see the rabbit and it was published in 1961 [1]. The first stanza is as follows:
We are going to see the rabbit,
We are going to see the rabbit.
Which rabbit, people say?
Which rabbit, ask the children?
Which rabbit?
The only rabbit.
Sitting behind a barbed-wire fence.
Under the flood lights, neon lights,
Sodium lights,
Nibbling grass
On the only patch of grass
In England, in England
(Except the grass by the hoardings
Which does not count.)
We are going to see the rabbit
And we must be there on time.
................
In this poem, the extinction of a popular animal species, the rabbit, is graphically depicted. In 1962 Rachel Carson published her piece entitled Silent Spring. In this, once again, the extinction of popular species, such as singing birds, by the wide and uncontrolled use of pesticides is warned of, and backed up by much scientific data. Although Carson’s Silent Spring have been regarded as the trigger point for the creation of many environmental movements, Brownjohn’s To-see-the-rabbit poem has seldom been referred to by environmentalists.
Interestingly, Brownjohn’s poem has been used as teaching material at junior highschool level in England. Also, some people have written in their blogs of their vivid memories, recalling the fresh impressions from their earlier readings. One blogger, Debra, wrote: “What a powerful warning about social, environmental and political breakdown and its costs, all in a concise little poem.” [2]. In a blog from St. George’s Anglican Church, Lowville, Canada, Brownjohn’s To-see-the-rabbit poem was referred to in a sermon entitled: Love creation and love future generations [3]. The sermon was closed with: “So love your neighbour, plant, animal, air, water and especially your future generations of neighbours, but as God loves you.”
Our world is now in danger of having to face the greatest mass extinction in the history of life. Although a great many scientists, politicians and environmentalists are struggling to save our planet, our future is still dark. But still, we can have hope. We still possess unused powerful instruments which can move people’s heart, so that they are motivated to save future generations even by sacrificing their own benefits. Brownjohn’s To-see-the-rabbit poem demonstrates this fact.
Notes.
[1] Original publication: Alan Brownjohn, The Railings, Digby Press, 1961. Recent publication including the poem: Alan Brownjohn, The Saner Places, Selected Poems, Enitharmon Press, London 2011. The whole form of the poem is seen in the website of Note [2] or in other sites searched by the poem title.
[2] Debra’s blog site; She Who Seeks, posted on 11 Sep. 2013. https://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/2013/09/to-see-rabbit.html
[3] Love creation and love future generations, Home Sermon Blog, St. George’s Anglican Church, Lowville, Canada. Posted on 19 May 2019. https://www.stgeorgeslowville.ca/love-creation-and-love-the-future-generations/
