Vegan Poetry

I started Vegan Poetry with the aim of showcasing… vegan poetry.

Poems about animals, poems for animals, poems with animals.

Like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or the World Moot on International Law and Animal Rights, Vegan Poetry was supposed to do what it says on the tin.

The founding ideal was:

Vegan Poetry engages meaningfully with non-human animals. Vegan Poetry speaks the language of compassion.

Fast forward two years and… I haven’t published much poetry.

Where is all the poetry?

Now, there are some good reasons why Vegan Poetry lacks poems.

These include:

• The site pivoted towards news and features. See, for example, this story about the meat and dairy lobbies or this one about routine abuse on RSPCA farms.
• Time is short and life does not always go to plan. This should be self-explanatory!

There are also some less good reasons that form part of the puzzle:

• Imposter feelings around my credentials to start this space.
• Doubts about the impact of poetry as a form of animal advocacy.

Between the fair and the foolish reasons, Vegan Poetry has (so far) remained without poems.

So, what’s next?

POEMS!

It is time to bring the first poems to Vegan Poetry.

My goal is to build a thriving community of poetry writers and readers united in the aim of using their words to make a difference for animals.

So, if you write poetry about animals, animal rights, veganism or ethical visions for a shared planet, I want to hear from you!

Drop me an email ([email protected]) with (1) a brief intro to you and your writing and (2) why you want to be involved with Vegan Poetry.

Or, if you know someone who writes vegan poems, please send them my way!

The best of both

Vegan Poetry will be a space for creative AND fact-based writing about, for and with animals.

Some particular areas of focus are:

• Exposing the deceptions of animal abuse industries and lobbies
• Fearlessly advocating for the victims of animal abuse industries
• Publishing a wide range of poetry, including poetry in translation

To open this new chapter, Vegan Poetry needs a new guiding light. For now, how about:

Vegan Poetry is a space for creative and fact-based writing that recognises current suffering and aspires to a better world.

Of course, the need to “engage meaningfully with non-human animals” and “speak the language of compassion” has not changed.

Please do get in touch if you want to be a part of it. ★

Send (1) a brief intro and (2) why you want to be involved to [email protected]

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About the author:

Daniel Clark is a writer and translator (French to English & Spanish to English) with a Master’s degree in European Cultures from the University of Cambridge and hundreds of articles published in places like Plant Based News and the UK Centre for Animal Law.

My poetry and short stories have appeared in journals and magazines around the world. I founded and co-edit Briefly Write, a little literary space for micro poetry and prose. I also performed eco-poetry at COP26 and was a Poetry Society Young Critic 2023. See more on LinkedIn