Poets Unite in an Ode to the Great Salt Lake in “Irreplaceable”

As a heartfelt tribute to the dwindling beauty of the Great Salt Lake, a group of twenty poets gathered on Antelope Island in February 2022 for an extraordinary event titled “Irreplaceable.” Initiated by Nan Seymour, a devoted writer and poet, the occasion aimed to bring awareness to the alarming drying up of the Great Salt Lake.

Nan Seymour’s passion manifested in a unique camping vigil on Antelope Island, where she united a community of like-minded individuals. Together, they penned a poignant poem spanning 2,200 lines, symbolizing the approximate size of a restored lake bed. The poetic endeavor became a collective expression of love and concern for the imperiled lake.

“Irreplaceable” unfolded as an emotional chorus of praise as twenty poets, moved by a shared sentiment, read their verses directly to the lake. The resulting poem, boasting 432 voices and 2580 lines, stands as a polyphonic love-letter to the endangered Great Salt Lake. While acknowledging that poetry alone cannot immediately rescue the lake, the creators believe in its transformative power to shift apathy into reverence for life and the ecosystem.

John Meier, the filmmaker capturing the essence of “Irreplaceable,” shared insights into the production process. His favorite moments included spending time around the Great Salt Lake, capturing breathtaking sunsets, and employing drone filming techniques. However, the live reading of the poetry presented a formidable challenge, given its one-time nature. Meier expressed a desire for additional cameras to enhance the overall filming experience.

Offering advice for aspiring filmmakers, Meier emphasized the importance of passion and community involvement in documentary production. “Get involved in the community of people who have the same passion as you” said Meier. “You will meet amazing people and those people will be your biggest cheerleaders, and support. Be genuine and become one with the subject you are tackling. that will lead you to amazing stories.”

Looking ahead, John Meier is expanding the “Irreplaceable” project into a longer piece, focusing on Nan Seymour and her ongoing vigil at the Great Salt Lake. Those interested can follow the project’s journey at greatsaltlakefilm.com and stay updated on Meier’s ventures via Instagram @Adventurewithjohn.

As a call to action, Meier invites individuals to join a vigil at the Capitol building in 2024. Participants can engage in walking and singing daily from 8 am to 9 am and dancing dressed as birds and brine shrimp from 5 pm to 6 pm. This event, occurring every Monday through Friday until March 16th, aims to celebrate the unique species of the Great Salt Lake.

“Irreplaceable” is an official selection in the Utah International Film Festival February 12-17 and will be screening at Maven Cinema in American Fork, UT.