This anthology of contemporary eco-literature features a diverse collection of a hundred Indigenous writers from Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and the global Pacific diaspora. The book embodies an ecological form with rhizomatic roots and blossoming branches, presenting a rich garden of genres, including poetry, chant, short fiction, novel excerpts, creative nonfiction, visual texts, and a dramatic play, all in multilingual offerings of English, Pacific languages, pidgin, and translation. Seven main themes emerge: "Creation Stories and Genealogies," "Ocean and Waterscapes," "Land and Islands," "Flowers, Plants, and Trees," "Animals and More-than-Human Species," "Climate Change," and "Environmental Justice." This aesthetic diversity reflects the rich biodiversity of the Pacific. The urgent voices within call for action in response to the existential threats posed by environmental imperialism and climate change. While celebrating the beauty of the ocean, islands, and flora, the writers confront the harsh realities of rising sea levels, animal extinction, nuclear contamination, and pandemics. This collection reminds us of our interconnectedness with nature and emphasizes that land and water are integral to identity and genealogy. It inspires readers to reconnect with the world as we navigate toward a precarious yet hopeful future.
