On July 1, 2017, English poet, actor, playwright, screenwriter, political activist and dramatist Heathcote Williams passed away. The author of several book-length polemical poems, including Whale Nation which has been called “the most powerful argument for the…worldwide ban on whaling;'” Sacred Elephant; Autogeddon; and Falling for a Dolphin, Williams invented his “documentary/investigative poetry” style to bring environmental and political issues to the attention of the public. He was also a magician, fire-eater and naturalist who discovered a new species of honey-producing wasp in the Amazon. If you haven’t heard of him, it may be because he eschewed publicity and public readings. Fortunately, you can hear Williams performing Whale Nation — host Katherine Hastings’ personal favorite of his works — this month on WordTemple.