This paper takes as its opening premise the claim that the "white noise" of contemporary culture, the bombardment of information and advertising from all sides along with the incessant imperative to consume—in large part, thanks to the internet—has become so overwhelming that what is needed most is a step back in order to reflect on our modes of relationship with the natural world. Taking up the claims of philosopher Mark Kingwell and cultural critic Slavoj Zizek, the argument is made that what is needed most right now is not more argument, more debate, but reflection and the commensurate silence required to engage in such contemplative action. Reflection, both Kingwell and Zizek argue, will serve to endow us with a heightened appreciation for the underlying systemic issues which foster continued destruction of the natural world, as well as destabilize deeply ingrained notions of subject/objective hierarchies long held and to a large extent responsible for our continued exploitation of the natural world.The poetry of Don McKay and John Burnside is examined in light of this imperative to push beyond the constraints of conventional discourse and to begin to retool and reshape our vocabularies for seeing the world and indeed, for being in it. Both McKay and Burnside invoke through their poetry a realm beyond the naming of things which promotes both reverence for the natural world and a sense of connection to it. Both poets are immensely preoccupied with what McKay refers to as "the reductive influence of the name." Both poets seek to transcend naming by pointing to the ineffable realm beyond names in which the reality of things inhabits a much more intricately detailed space than any of our available nomenclature can conjure. Within the body of their work lies an ethical orientation towards the world very much akin to the respect accorded the "other" in the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, of whom McKay is a dedicated disciple. The poetics of Tim Lilburn are invoked as support for the impetus behind both McKay's and Burnside's poetic visions. Ultimately, the analysis proffered here is intended to outline the shape of a green poetics and a green politics which will alter the trajectory of our thinking about the natural world in such a way as to facilitate a salutary and healthy relationship with it.