1. READING RESPONSE
Vania Lundina
Grade 11
Something I learned while reading these two poems is how nature affects
people and vice versa. The poem “Lament” is about damages to every aspect of
life caused by war between humans. An example of the theme is when Gillian
Clarkeportrays the damage of the ecosystem and shelters of many creatures on
earth because of the war. It says, “For her eggs laid in their nest of sickness”. This
means that the environment is no longer safe for them to live and breed, or even
is not worth living in anymore. I think destroying shelters for creatures is a very
intolerable impact. We should all take care of our surroundings in order to create
a better living in the world. Another example can bee seen from “For the hook-
beaked turtles, the dugong and the dolphin, the whale struck dumb by the
missile’s thunder”. This describes the livings of the creatures that is always in
great danger and seem to have no other choice rather than living that way. I
think this also symbolizes people as many of them are aware of the damages but
do not do anything to restore them. And the second poem “Amends” is about
someone (symbolized by the moon)who feels sorry for people for the damage on
the earth. An example of how nature affects people’s life is when the moon shows
its sympathy to people. In the poem it says, “as it dwells upon the eyelids of the
sleepers as if to make amends” This somehow creates a sense of the nature
feeling sorry for people for what they have done. But in the other way, also trying
its best to provide living for the people, as it has become its responsibility. I think
the example from the poem clearly shows that the moon tries to protect the
people as an act of apologizing.It also says, “laying its cheeks for moments on the
sand”. This means that the moon regrets what it has done to the earth, and tries
to keep the close relationship between one and another. I think this is one of the
human qualities where everyone relies on each other, but this can also show how
nature features rely on each other; with sand (or beach) as the object that the
moon shines on. I think in our society many people do not realize that what they
do may harm the environment and if the environment is damaged, they might
have no more place to live.