Report to Wordsworth by Boey Kim CHeng

Poem: "Report to Wordsworth" by Boey Kim Cheng

You should be here, Nature has need of you.

She has been laid waste. Smothered by the smog,

the flowers are mute, and the birds are few

in a sky slowing like a dying clock.

All hopes of Proteus rising from the sea

have sunk; he is entombed in the waste

we dump. Triton’s notes struggle to be free,

his famous horns are choked, his eyes are dazed,

and Neptune lies helpless as beached as a whale,

while insatiate man moves in for the kill.

Poetry and piety have begun to fail,

As Nature’s mighty heart is lying still.

O see the widening in the sky,

God is labouring to utter his last cry.

Poem Overview

• Theme of environmental devastation: The poem speaks directly to Wordsworth, addressing how the natural world, which he revered, has been destroyed through industrialization and human negligence.

• Call to Wordsworth: The speaker imagines a desperate need for Wordsworth's presence, as nature has been so harmed that even the gods and natural forces are powerless against human destruction.

• Loss of the natural world: The poem conveys the extinction of nature’s vibrancy and power, with references to mythological gods (Proteus, Triton, and Neptune) who are helpless against environmental degradation.

Key Quotes

• "You should be here, Nature has need of you."

• "Smothered by the smog, the flowers are mute, and the birds are few."

Underlying Meanings and Themes

• Industrialization and nature’s decline: The poem critiques the devastating effect of industrialization on the environment, suggesting that nature is "laid waste" and "smothered by the smog."

• Helplessness of nature and mythological figures: The gods (Proteus, Triton, Neptune) are used symbolically to represent nature’s ancient power, which is now powerless due to human greed and disregard.

• Human exploitation of nature: The image of "insatiate man moving in for the kill" underscores humanity’s relentless consumption of the Earth’s resources, regardless of the consequences.

• Spiritual or moral decay: The line "Poetry and piety have begun to fail" suggests that not only is the natural world in decline, but also the values of art and religion, which once helped preserve nature and morality, are now ineffective in the face of modern destruction.

Key Quotes

• "All hopes of Proteus rising from the sea / have sunk; he is entombed in the waste we dump."

• "Poetry and piety have begun to fail."

Poetic Techniques

• Allusion: The poem makes several references to classical mythology, such as Proteus, Triton, and Neptune. These figures symbolize natural forces and gods who are helpless in the face of human destruction.

• Imagery: Vivid imagery such as "the flowers are mute," "the birds are few," and "a sky slowing like a dying clock" create a haunting picture of a world in decline, reflecting the environmental crisis.

• Personification: Nature is personified as being "laid waste" and having "need," while the gods are depicted as struggling and helpless.

• Metaphor: "Smothered by the smog" and "sky slowing like a dying clock" are metaphors for the suffocating effect of industrialization and pollution on nature and the world.

• Juxtaposition: The poem juxtaposes the once powerful figures of nature (Proteus, Triton, Neptune) with the human-driven destruction, emphasizing the helplessness of nature in the modern world.

Key Quotes

• "the flowers are mute, and the birds are few / in a sky slowing like a dying clock."

• "Triton’s notes struggle to be free, / his famous horns are choked."

Literary Devices

• Allusion: References to "Proteus," "Triton," and "Neptune" evoke classical mythology, using these gods to symbolize the forces of nature that are now being defeated by human activity.

• Symbolism: "Smog" symbolizes industrial pollution, while "Triton’s horns" and "Neptune" symbolize the once-dominant, powerful forces of nature that are now under threat.

• Irony: The irony lies in the fact that humanity, which once revered nature and gods, is now causing irreparable harm to both.

• Metaphor: "Sky slowing like a dying clock" is a metaphor for the decaying state of the Earth, suggesting that time is running out for the planet due to human exploitation.

Key Quotes

• "Smothered by the smog, the flowers are mute."

• "God is labouring to utter his last cry."

Structure

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, which mirrors the free-spirited nature of Wordsworth’s own work, yet contrasts with the modern, chaotic world where traditional forms of beauty and respect for nature are crumbling.

• Pacing: The poem has a steady rhythm that gradually builds to an urgent, dramatic conclusion, with the "labouring" God crying out, symbolizing a call to action or final plea for help.

• Tone: The tone is urgent, mournful, and reflective. The speaker expresses both a sense of grief for the destruction of nature and a call for action, pleading for Wordsworth’s return to restore nature’s balance.