Anyone know W. S. Merwin?

[_Keith]

Poet and environmentalist W. S. Merwin moved to Hawaii in 1976 and has spent the last forty years planting nineteen acres with more than eight hundred species of palm, creating a lush garden on a ruined former pineapple plantation. Now the Merwin Conservancy, this land has served as Merwin’s muse and his passion, appearing as a consistent subject of his poems and his germinal essays on conservation. What Is a Garden? collects eight of Merwin’s poems and three of his essays emblematic of his palm garden writings from the 1980s to the present and presents them alongside photographer Larry Cameron’s spectacular images of Merwin’s garden, all taken between 2013 and 2014. These photographs lure readers deep into Merwin’s palm garden and offers a rare glimps into this private exotic landscape as a visual feast for the viewer, rich with insights into the spirit of the place that has inspired Merwin’s poetry. 
Cameron first met Merwin in the early 1990s while working on a documentary film about the emergence of Merwin’s environmental consciousness. What Is a Garden? also includes a new introduction by Merwin chronicling his personal history with his palm garden, Cameron’s photographer’s note on his friendship with the poet and his inspiration for this collection, and an identification guide to the plants featured in the volume.

[realarch]

Keith, W.S. Merwin is well known here in Hawaii. In fact, our local palm society arranged a visit to his garden last year and got to meet him and his wife during the tour. The garden, which is part of theThe Merwin Conservancy, is a very special place and the organization is a visible force here in the islands and beyond. We are lucky to also have the conservancy as part of our HIPS membership.

There have been a couple of PBS TV specials over the last few years which should be available somewhere for viewing.

Tim

[bgl]

Yes, indeed! That was quite a day and a most unique opportunity and an amazing "garden" (=much more than a "garden"). And afterwards we had the great pleasure of spending some time chatting with the Merwins'.

[_Keith]

Awesome.   I just ran across his book on Amazon and ordered it.  I am not much into poetry, but I read the book is worth it just for the garden pictures.   If allowed, I hope someone will post pictures of their garden tour in this thread.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1611175674/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1