Dr. McCallum’s journey as an author and poet began many years ago. He first published his anthology of wilderness poems, Wild Gifts in 1999. His special interests focus on evolutionary theory, human ecology and the animal-human interface (what we learn about ourselves from the animals) and astronomy. He is the Writer/Poet for the ‘Untamed’ exhibition 2010, a year long exhibition at Kirstenbosch Gardens which explores the lost balance between humankind and nature.
Ian Player and Ian McCallum became close friends and their shared passion for Wild Africa is clear in Player’s forward to McCallum’s anthology of poems, `Wild Gifts’. “Each poem brings images and sounds of this most ancient of continents and as Ian has suggested, if you read them out aloud, I believe you will hear the echo in the deep personal Africa that all of us carry – the millions of years of human evolution in Africa imprinted in our psyche. ”
My personal favourite poem in the anthology is `Wilderness’ which McCallum has dedicated to Ian Player with the words …”history will show that he ranks amongst the great visionaries of the Wild.”
McCallum presently directs the Environmental Education programme for the Wilderness Foundation. When he is not in wild places recalibrating his heartbeat with that of Nature, he lives with his wife Sharon in the Scenic South.
To purchase a copy of Wild Gifts or his latest book Untamed
Click here to read more about Ian McCallum and his work
Wilderness
Have we forgotten
that wilderness is not a place,
but a pattern of soul
where every tree, every bird and beast
is a soul maker?
Have we forgotten
that wilderness is not a place,
but a moving feast of stars,
footprints, scales and beginnings?
Since when
Did we become afraid of the night
and that only the bright stars count?
Or that our moon is not a moon
Unless it is full?
By whose command
were the animals
through groping fingers,
one for each hand,
reduced to the big and little five?
Have we forgotten
that every creature is within us
carried by tides
of earthly blood
and that we named them?
Have we forgotten
that wilderness is not a place,
but a season
and that we are in its
final hour?
4 Comment
sarah shaw, July 23, 2012 at 1:18 pm
how can I purchase a copy of Ian McCallum’s poetry?
ReplyKim, July 24, 2012 at 10:27 am
Hi Sarah, Ian’s email address is in the article just above his poem Wilderness. The link to his email has now been fixed.
ReplyJune Dollman, January 11, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Hi Ian
Am an old flame from one of your Worcester school holidays. Have always followed your history and am so impressed by your multifaceted talents. Especially enthralled by the inner man, your love of our universe, wildlife and poetry. “The boot” didn’t do the whole man justice. also great to see the trials never held you back! Great stuff.
ReplyTracey, April 19, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Hi Ian,
I am writing to say how I stumbled across your beautiful poetry.
As an Australian traveller I came to South Africa as a choir director with 22 other Australians. I have had some very moving experiences singing with different people, on the streets ,in s their churches and on bus’s.
When I came to The botanical gardens in Cape Town I was already knocked out by the beauty of the place, when I came upon your wonderful poetry.
It hit me in the face and said everything that I am unable to put into words about my feelings and experience of being in South Africa and singing with the most beautiful people.
Thank you, I cant stop thinking about your poetry and I would love to buy a copy
best wishe
ReplyTracey Miller