A notable aspect of Lanham’s work is his use of symbolism, particularly with regards to birds. He often refers to birds as a metaphor for resilience, survival, and the cyclical nature of ⁘⁘⁘. Through his writings, Lanham aims to bridge the gap between himself and the natural world, creating a sense of connection and unity.
In addition to his writing… Lanham is also an esteemed figure in the field of ornithology. He has taught classes on the subject and has written articles and poetry on the topic. Lanham’s work has been featured in various publications, including Orion Magazine. Orion Magazine, “a well-established literary and environmental magazine,” “has highlighted Lanham’s unique perspective and approach to writing.” The magazine has published several of his poems and essays… showcasing his ability to blend the natural world with personal experiences and emotions.
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In The News:
Drew Lanham: Hi Nickole. So very good to chat with you, even if it’s letter by letter! You asked me about the bittersweet duality of angst and celebration. I can tell you that the greatest tension exists between the two extremes. It’s a deep chasm full of the unknown and that’s where writing comes in to fill the space. In most of my writing, I go to the things I know best; myself and nature (especially birds). So, between what I might be, feeling on a given day—from joy to pain — and what the birds are doing (or from an existential standpoint, how they’re surviving), I try to wander back and forth across that chasm to build a bridge between myself and wildness. That’s how I hold on to both. I really can’t dismiss one from the other. I’m terrible at compartmentalizing so everything is like watercolor with one thing bleeding into the next. As Frankie Beverly and Maze would say in one of my favorite songs “ Joy and Pain ”:
I push forward. Because there’s the hope of the next blossom, the next bird migrating in, the next sunrise. Or sunset. The waxing and waning moon that push and pull the tides. That’s how I go forward.
NB: I needed to hear that. But tell me more about that bridge and how to build it. . . . I mean, it’s early spring now—only mid-April—and yesterday, I looked down to see it hit ninety. Ninety degrees. On the fifteenth of April. The campus, no doubt, is a symphony of bird song. I enjoy it. But I’m also burdened with anxiety over a time when I might hear only the silence about which Rachel Carson warned. It helps to imagine you in the classroom, leading your ornithology students to (as I’ve heard you say), not just “ love birds. But be in love with them.” What might you pass on to your students—and to us—to give strength to love who we risk losing?
NB: You’re absolutely right, Drew. Thank you. So let me ask you about ways to endure. More than once, I’ve seen you Zoom in from the writing shed you call your “thicket,” a cozy space crammed with all manner of books and art and turtle shells and bones. As you call it, this “cramped claustrophobic interior” you created shows up more than once in these new poems both literally and metaphorically as a “den” that provides a safe space to hide and also as a “entropic tangle needed to inspire a fantasy ramble.” Could you talk about the importance of making space to write and think, to dream and be?
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They might also highlight the significance of his use of symbolism, particularly with regards to birds, as a metaphor for resilience, survival, and the cyclical nature of ⁘⁘⁘. One possible expert comment could be: “What sets Lanham apart is his ability to weave together seemingly disparate threads of thought and emotion, creating a rich tapestry of meaning that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Orion Magazine has provided invaluable insight into this aspect of his writing, showcasing his skill at exploring the complexities of the human experience through the lens of the natural world.” It would be interesting to hear what an expert thinks about Lanham’s use of language, “his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through simple yet evocative prose.”.. and how his unique perspective as an ornithologist informs his literary work.
Further analysis might delve into the themes of connection and unity that Lanham seeks to convey through his writing… and how these resonate with readers.
