The title, for rachel, pays homage to biologist Rachel Carson, whose seminal book, Silent Spring (1962), brought environmental awareness to the forefront by exposing the dangers and consequences of indiscriminate pesticide use. Her accessible research positioned humans as part of nature, not above it. Drawing on the kinetic power of noun-to-verb doubling, the narrative textual sequencing oscillates between passive and active. The painterly gradient, with its blood-red, blackened foreground, references the scorched earth, a place where birds no longer sing.

“She was fascinated by the interdependence of earth, air, water, plants, and creatures. She believed it was crucial for the public to understand the unfiltered truths of science. Much of the danger she predicted from poisonous chemicals, radiation, pollution and climate change has come true beyond her worst predictions. Microplastic particles invade the food chain, hydraulic fracturing pollutes the water supply, pesticides are tied to cancers and global warming is speeding up.”[1]

 [1] Danks, L. (2018, October 10). Rachel Carson’s passionate crusade. Freedom Socialist Party. https://socialism.com/fs-article/rachel-carsons-passionate-crusade-a-sea-change-in-the-movement-to-protect-nature/