The two poems I have chosen to write about are Report to Wordworth (RTW) by Boey Kim Cheng and Lament by Gillian Clarke; both poets extensively use elements of the natural world in order to communicate their message of humanities destructive actions

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H2SWH Henry Lin

Elements of the natural world play a large role in poetry. Select 2 of the poems you have studied and examine how the poets use nature to communicate their message

The two poems I have chosen to write about are Report to Wordworth (RTW) by Boey Kim Cheng and Lament by Gillian Clarke; both poets extensively use elements of the natural world in order to communicate their message of humanities destructive actions and the consequential effects they have on Nature. Neither of the poets blame individuals instead suggests that it is the fault of humanity as a whole, and we should all bear the consequences.

In Lament, Clarke describes the impact of Nature as a result of humanities conflicts and wars. Correspondingly in Cheng’s RTW, Cheng describes the increasing abusive behavior of humanity and the effects it has on Nature. Both poems use the concept of time. Time is a concept which humans have created to benefit themselves, however without this concept time would still exist in its original form of seasons, death, rotations of the earth etc. “slowing like a dying clock” in RTW and “slow dying” in Lament both suggest the gradual death of nature, these imply human disruption on the earth natural life cycle and the failing efforts of Nature adapt to its loss and destruction. Although with “the wound widening” suggest the opportunity for man to repair the damages it has done, whereas the words “burnt earth” and “ashes” infer it may be too late and humanity has missed the opportunity to make amends with the earth.  

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Both poems deals with man co-existence with Nature, and how man no longer relies on Nature as much as we used to. My understanding is that man no longer lives in harmony with Nature, but equally coexists in constant rivalry for superiority with man currently victorious as we are the most powerful and intelligent race of species on this planet. Innocent animals being harmed, forests cut down, water polluted and the food chain interrupted.Although our selfish desires has led to the destruction of inferior and less intelligent species and their environment – Nature.

In cooperation both poems involve ...

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