In Natalie Diaz's poem "A Wildlife Zoo," the theme of anxiety is evident. The poem discusses the conflict and struggle between nature and man-made structures, and how anxiety arises from the tension between the two. Diaz emphasizes the notion that loss of nature and natural habitats is causing anxiety, pain, and suffering to the creatures that inhabit these spaces.
The poem's portrayal of nature as a kind of zoo represents the anxiety many people feel due to the world's current state of environmental destruction. Lines like "Once upon a time, it was enough to see lions/ in a wildlife zoo. But now you want them/ in your living room" reveal how our greed for resources and modern lifestyle has endangered the animals and the environment. Additionally, Diaz underscores how environmental destruction can cause anxiety and existential fear by pointing out how "Some people will tell you there is no war here/ some people will tell you to not worry, it's just nature" while at the same time reminding us of the hazy, unbreathable air.
Diaz's poem contributes significantly to my understanding of anxiety and shows how it affects not only humans but also animals and nature. It emphasizes how individuals and society's actions are responsible for causing such a tense state of being. After reading this poem, I am more aware of the consequences of human actions on nature and all the ecosystem that depends on it, and how environmental and social issues are interconnected. Such complexity is relevant and vital to reflect upon when understanding the modern world, and in turn, influences my creative choices in tackling the issue of anxiety visually.