News at Eleven: During his tenure, Mr. [W.S.] Merwin said,

he wants to emphasize his "great sympathy with native people and the languages and literature of native peoples," and his "lifelong concern with the environment."

Although raised in the Western tradition, he said he feels more affinity with an Eastern one, "being part of the universe and everything living." With that exhilarating connection comes responsibility, however. "You don't just exploit it and use it and throw it away any more than you would a member of your family," he said. "You're not separate from the frog in the pond or the cockroach in the kitchen."

from The New York Times: W.S. Merwin to Be Named Poet Laureate
also NPR: 'Sirius' Poetry From New Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin
also The Guardian: WS Merwin is America's new poet laureate--at 82

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