Dropped in the ocean: Rime of the Modern Mariner by Nick Hayes

Henry Rummins

11 May 2011

I'm a big fan of eco-pop (Michael Jackson's Earth Song is a particular favourite of mine, to the constant amusement and derision of my friends). I also like science fiction novels that paint a picture of global Armageddon.

But I was surprised and slightly apprehensive when I came across my first taste of eco-poetry.

The last time I attempted to decipher verse and rhyme was back at school. So I had to pluck up the courage to dive into The Rime of the Modern Mariner, by graphic artist Nick Hayes.

I'm glad I did.

It's a stirring and thought-provoking tale of a land-lubber who sets off in search of whalebone dominoes and ends up on a dizzying adventure across, above and below the waves.

The culmination of his travels is a face-to-face meeting with the North Pacific gyre - a huge patch of ocean where low winds and ocean currents trap millions of tonnes of plastic in a toxic soup that's deadly to wildlife. (More on this in Plastiki.)

The poem - an updated version of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's original - is brought to life through Nick's beautiful illustrations, matching the mood and emotions of the verses perfectly.

I won't reveal the twists of the tale, nor the haunting ending, but will leave you with the words of our mariner, half-crazed in frustration that his tale of environmental disaster is falling on deaf ears...

"You must listen to this story
And open up your eyes
This ludicrous hyperbole:
No word of it a lie!"

Working in communications for Friends of the Earth, I know the feeling.

This would make a great present for coffee tables up and down the land - and if you buy it from The Book Depository 5% of your order will be donated to Friends of the Earth.

Henry Rummins, Communications & Media team

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