'That We May Be Saved' Eco- Critical Reading of Water Testament: An Anthology of Poems on Water and Water-related Issues

Abstract

The ecological changes, environmental terrorism and degradation, threats of human collapse and annihilation as a result of nature induced elements are fast becoming burning and contemporary issues in our literature today. This is as a result of the concern and feelings for the safety and betterment of the world and mankind by concerned writers, artistes and scholars who have made environmental issues paramount to them. It is not so much news that human activities, industrialisation, technological growth and the quest of many nations to measure up and boost the targeted economic growth have left nature and mankind at the receiving end of it all. Eco-criticism is one of the new arrivals on the scene of literary criticism for evaluation and interpretation of works of art vis-a-vis ecological issues. It concerns itself with the study of nature in its natural phenomenon as well as man and his activities as it affects nature and the environment. Poetry one of the genres of literature has proven to be a worthwhile and handmaid tool in the exploration of this idea and in the task to save environment. This paper selected a recent collection of poetry entitled Water Testaments: An Anthology of Poems on Water and Water-related Issues edited by Greg Mbajiorgu, a collection by Nigerian poets designed to finding lasting solution to global water crises. The paper underscores the issues posited by some of these poets and how best water, an important part of human life could be well exploited and harnessed for human adaptation from the viewpoints of these poets. “That We May Be Saved” Eco- Critical Reading of Water Testament: An Anthology of Poems on Water and Water-related Issues.