"The poem opens as the world sleeps, and 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."
"During time spent with animals and staff at London zoo, Armitage said he met Katie, a Mexican red-kneed spider, watched Sumatran tigers, and went behind the scenes in the reptile house."
"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."
London Zoo has served as a muse for many renowned writers and artists over its 200-year history. Notable figures include Edwin Landseer, AA Milne, and Sylvia Plath. Ted Hughes, who briefly worked at the zoo, drew inspiration for his poem The Thought-Fox from his experiences there. To commemorate the zoo's anniversary, current poet laureate Simon Armitage created The Moon and the Zoo, which explores the nocturnal life of the zoo through a dreamlike animation. The poem emphasizes our shared responsibility for the natural world and reflects on the hidden lives of animals.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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