Sexton's recitation of Venus and the Ark I believe Sexton plays the part of any citizen of the Earth before it becomes a "forgotten pitted stone." When the Ph.Ds find a life sustaining planet, no one cares. The big news barely fits into a news cast in between the weather forecasts and more "relevant" news on Earth. Sexton's very monotone, unemotional recitation of the poem portrays the citizens reaction on Earth.
A big part of this poem is the vastness of its idea. No reader can quite imagine what it would be like for life on Earth to end and life to be created elsewhere. So despite the very heavy scenarios that are presented (whether it be the destruction of the Earth, the introduction of Earthlings to Venus, or the fact that the Ph.Ds observe evolution at work) the reader really can't emotionally attach to the poem in a way that they would a tragedy seen on their local news.
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