PalaeoPoems

The Joy and Sorrow of the Olden Times by J. V. von Scheffel

Die Lust und Leid aus Alter Zeit - by Joseph Victor von Scheffel This German geologist drinking song features many of the most famous fossils of the 1800s, all engaged in indulgent and apparently deplorable behaviour. None survive until the end of the poem. Guest artwork by Katrin Emery.

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Ballad of the Ichthyosaurus, by May Kendall

Ballad of the Ichthyosaurus - by May Kendall Content warning: scientific racism, phrenology. In this poem, the Ichthyosaurus laments that his eye is much more impressive that his brain. He aspires to be as intelligent as humans are. Guest artwork by Dana Korneisel.

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On the hyaena's Den at Kirkdale – William Conybeare

On the hyaena’s den at Kirkdale - by William Conybeare When a hyena den was discovered by workers near Yorkshire, UK, in 1821, Geologist William Buckland was called in to investigate and describe it. William Conybeare was inspired by what was found in the cave. Guest artwork by James Mckay.

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In aid of Jamoytius by Nancy P. Morris

In aid of Jamoytius - by Nancy P. Morris Jamoytius is a jawless fish fossil from Scotland. Nancy P. Morris was well-known for her geological poetry. Need we say more? Guest artwork by Dr. Hillary Maddin

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The Sandstone Bird by Edward Hitchcock

The Sandstone Bird - by Edward Hitchcock After publishing a scientific description of the dinosaur trackways of the Conneticut Valley, Edward Hitchcock also submitted an accompanying poem based on his research. The publisher declined to print it however, so Edward submitted to the literary magazine, The Knickerbocker, under the pseudonym "Poetaster" instead. Guest artwork by October Seagrave.

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Wake Up, Little Stevie by Christina Olson

Wake Up, Little Stevie - by Christina Olson Christina was inspired by her time as a poet-in-residence at the Western Science Center. She wrote about Little Stevie and several other mastodons Guest artwork by Allison Hull.

Botany

‘Twas the Eve of the Cretaceous by Leo J. Hickey

'Twas the Eve of the Cretaceous - by Leo J. Hickey This seasonal poem spans from the Jurassic to the Paleocene, and describes the rise of angiosperms and the effect that had on primate evolution. Guest artwork by Megan Leslie

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Similar Cases by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Similar Cases - by Charlotte Perkins Gilman This is the first half of a much longer poem, featuring "similar cases" of different mammalian ancestors aspiring to be the species we see today. It's social commentary on how society is able to change. Guest artwork by Dr. Dani Fraser

Botany

The Petrified Fern by Mary Bolles Branch

The Petrified Fern - by Mary Bolles Branch This Palaeo-Botany poem is about how context may change the meaning of fossils. This poem also fits into the capitalist and colonial mentality that everything and everyone must be useful in some way, and that finding that use is a noble cause. Guest artwork by Fatema.

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Anchiornis by Jonathan Kane, feat. Emily Willoughby

Anchiornis - by Jonathan Kane When Emily Willoughby first painted Anchiornis for a book collaboration with Jonathan Kane, the colour of the dinosaur was unknown. This poem is about the life of the dinosaur and how palaeo-art must change to stay scientifically accurate. Guest artwork by Emily Willoughby.