Poet Laureate Commemorates ZSL's Bicentennial with Animated Work
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a special commission from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. His new work, The Moon and the Zoo, joins a distinguished tradition of artistic inspiration drawn from London Zoo, following in the footsteps of literary figures like Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes.
A Nocturnal Journey Through the Animal Kingdom
Armitage narrates his poem in a specially commissioned animation illustrated by Greg King. The work takes viewers on a dreamlike journey through the zoo's night-time world and beyond into the wider natural environment. The poem opens as the world sleeps, with the moon entering the zoo to tend to its nocturnal inhabitants.
The Moon and the Zoo describes how the moon "slides in under the turnstile after dark, moves in a silent arc at an ancient pace, dabs its ointment on the gibbon's paw, nitpicks its way through the troop of gorillas, smooths the silverback's fur." This imagery creates a magical atmosphere where the celestial body becomes a caretaker for sleeping animals.
Behind the Scenes with London's Wildlife
During his research for the poem, Armitage spent time with animals and staff at London Zoo. He met Katie, a Mexican red-kneed spider, observed Sumatran tigers, and explored behind the scenes in the reptile house. These experiences informed his fascination with the secret lives of animals and "the mysterious aspects of their existence which we never really get to see."
The poet explained his approach: "The night is a metaphor for the unknown, and the moon is an eternal watch and witness over those lives, and has been for millions of years. Some animals are very active in the darkness, but for others it must provide a respite and a refuge from the global human activity that can be so disruptive to their needs."
Conservation Message Through Poetic Imagery
Armitage sees the moon as a metaphor for ZSL's conservation work, representing the "keeping and caring" and "important research" that happens away from public view. The poem aims to communicate ZSL's message about the "wonder of the natural world" and "how the richness of nature can enrich our own thinking and extend our imaginations."
The work culminates with dawn breaking, as Armitage reflects on humanity's shared responsibility toward nature. The final line describes how "the moon hands over the keys of the world and trusts them to us," emphasizing our obligation to protect the natural world.
Two Centuries of Zoological Science and Public Engagement
ZSL was founded in 1826 to advance zoological science and opened the world's first scientific zoo, London Zoo, in 1828. The institution opened to the public in 1847 and has since inspired countless artists, writers, and scientists, including Charles Darwin.
Kathryn England, CEO of ZSL, commented on the anniversary commission: "For 200 years, ZSL has worked to bring people closer to wildlife and inspire action to protect it. Simon's poem captures both the wonder of those encounters and the responsibility that comes with them. With our anniversary just days away, it's a powerful reminder of the role people can play in the future of wildlife."
The Complete Poem: The Moon and The Zoo
It slides in under the turnstile after dark,
moves in a silent arc at an ancient pace,
dabs its ointment on the gibbon's paw,
nitpicks its way through the troop of gorillas,
smooths the silverback's fur.
The moon
puts a crystalline glint in the tiger's eye,
makes a zebra flicker like old film,
shushes the two-toed sloth when it stirs.
On it goes, incognito keeper and carer
wheeling through tunnels, passing through fences,
casting the black kite in a platinum glow,
mending cracked hide with its soft flux
and welding the armadillo's chainmail coat.
A restless otter slips out of its holt
and rolls the ball of the moon in its feet;
the full moon smears its milky smile
on the lips of pups and kittens and cubs.
It crowns the giraffe in its standing sleep,
draws out the aye aye's ET fingers
for a midnight manicure, blesses a tortoise,
lifts up its lamp to check on the lions,
sharpens the warthog's tusks, brushes the strings
of the cupboard spider's jittery web
without sounding a note, then makes
a final sweep of the nests and dens.
But there's still work to do before dawn,
spreading out through the city, leafleting streets,
leaving animal dreams under pillows
and conjuring tundra, rain forest, swamp
or savannah from gardens and parks,
lighting up waking minds with wild thoughts.
Then morning breaks; the moon hands over
the keys of the world and trusts them to us.
©Simon Armitage
