The University of Arizona Press
September 23, 2021
The University of Arizona Press hosted a virtual book launch and reading on Wednesday, September 22 with poet Valerie Martínez for her book-length poem Count. Martínez was joined by Rigoberto Gonzaléz, University of Arizona Press’ Camino del Sol Series editor.
About Count: Forty-three sections of myth-gathering, flora and fauna, accounts of climate devastation, personal narratives, witnessing, references to works of eco-art, and evocations of children unfold over the course of the book, creating a deeply nuanced image of the current climate crisis. Central to this vital work of ecopoetry is the idea of counting—counting down to the extinction of a species, counting the wonders of the natural world, counting our way back to the balance that is required to save ourselves from climate destruction. Filled with a sense of grief and sorrow for the current state of the planet, Count also offers a glimmering hope that future generations will restore our damaged environment.
