Lament by Gillian Clarke:

Poem: "Lament" by Gillian Clarke

For the green turtle with her pulsing burden,
in search of the breeding ground.
For her eggs laid in their nest of sickness.

For the cormorant in his funeral silk,
the veil of iridescence on the sand,
the shadow on the sea.

For the ocean’s lap with its mortal stain.
For Ahmed at the closed border.
For the soldier with his uniform of fire.

For the gunsmith and the armourer,
the boy fusilier who joined for the company,
the farmer’s sons, in it for the music.

For the hook-beaked turtles,
the dugong and the dolphin,
the whale struck dumb by the missile’s thunder.

For the tern, the gull and the restless wader,
the long migrations and the slow dying,
the veiled sun and the stink of anger.

For the burnt earth and the sun put out,
the scalded ocean and the blazing well.
For vengeance, and the ashes of language.

Poem Overview

• Theme of environmental destruction and human conflict: The poem addresses the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, highlighting the devastation caused by war and environmental damage. The "lament" refers to the grief over lost lives—both human and non-human—due to violence and ecological harm.

• Grief for the natural world: The speaker mourns the destruction of wildlife, like the green turtle, the cormorant, and the whale, while also pointing to human suffering caused by war and violence.

• Call to attention: The poem is an urgent plea to recognize the destructive forces at play in the world, whether through warfare, pollution, or exploitation of nature.

Key Quotes

• "For the green turtle with her pulsing burden, / in search of the breeding ground."

• "For the soldier with his uniform of fire."

• "For vengeance, and the ashes of language."

Underlying Meanings and Themes

• Environmental degradation: The poem illustrates how the natural world suffers as a result of human conflict and industrialization, symbolized by the "mortal stain" on the ocean and the "burnt earth."

• Interconnectedness of nature and humanity: Through the repeated "for" in each line, Clarke emphasizes the shared suffering of both nature and humans, showing that both are victims of violence and destruction.

• Loss and grief: The poem reflects on the tragic consequences of war, pollution, and environmental harm, portraying the grief and loss felt by both human and non-human entities.

Key Quotes

• "For her eggs laid in their nest of sickness."

• "For the ocean’s lap with its mortal stain."

Poetic Techniques

• Repetition: The phrase "For" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of mourning and loss for various entities—both human and animal.

• Imagery: Clarke uses vivid and poignant imagery, such as "funeral silk," "veil of iridescence," and "the sun put out," to create strong visual impressions of environmental and human destruction.

• Metaphor: The "mortal stain" on the ocean metaphorically represents the lasting impact of human violence on nature. "The ashes of language" symbolize the destruction of communication and culture in the wake of conflict.

• Juxtaposition: Clarke juxtaposes natural beauty (the turtle, cormorant, whale) with destruction (pollution, war, violence), highlighting the harsh contrast between life and the forces that threaten it.

Key Quotes

• "For the cormorant in his funeral silk, / the veil of iridescence on the sand."

• "For vengeance, and the ashes of language."

Literary Devices

• Allusion: The reference to "Ahmed at the closed border" alludes to the refugee crisis, bringing attention to the plight of displaced individuals.

• Symbolism: The green turtle and the cormorant symbolize the natural world, while the soldier and gunsmith represent the destructive forces of war. "The whale struck dumb by the missile’s thunder" symbolizes the silencing of nature in the face of violence.

• Personification: The poem personifies the ocean as it is given a "mortal stain," implying that the ocean is a victim of human harm.

• Alliteration: "For the hook-beaked turtles" and "the tern, the gull and the restless wader" use alliteration to create a rhythmic flow, mimicking the movement of the creatures mentioned.

Key Quotes

• "For the gunsmith and the armourer, / the boy fusilier who joined for the company."

• "For the whale struck dumb by the missile’s thunder."

Structure

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, reflecting the chaotic and uncontrolled nature of the destruction it addresses. There is no set rhyme or meter, emphasizing the sense of loss and helplessness.

• Pacing: The pacing is steady throughout, with each stanza focusing on a different victim of the devastation—whether human or animal. The final lines, however, slow down, providing a sense of finality as the speaker reflects on the "ashes of language."

• Tone: The tone is somber, mournful, and lamenting, as the speaker grieves the destruction of both nature and humanity. There is also a sense of anger and urgency in the call for recognition of the damage done.