Poetry and Nature

In class on Tuesday myself and other group members voiced how we thought the authors of the poems we were discussing went to far in glorifying nature. One question raised was whether or not it was right for people to love nature on the same level they love other people. While talking with Professor Corrigan we came to the conclusion that we do have a responsibility of stewardship over God’s creation. However, many people take this too far and there are plenty of examples of people taking their devotion to nature to far. Some examples are PETA radicals breaking into department stores and throwing paint on the fur coats of rich old ladies, or crazy hippies living their lives chained to trees that are scheduled to be cut down. People can also go too far in the other direction wanting to cut down all the trees and build parking garages in their stead. Neither is a correct approach and moderation seems to be key to success.
Usually when nature is portrayed in poetry it is given a sense of nostalgia. A lot of people would agree with this associating nature as a simpler and more peaceful existence than the world we have built ourselves today. I however don’t buy into the idea that nature is full superior wisdoms and living a life highly in touch with nature is a better way of living. Not even the good old days were the good old days. Nature is harsh; people forget this because living with in civilization removes humans most often from the food chain. Perhaps we have lost some good aspects of life before industrialization took its hold over nature, but I enjoy living in a world where medicine and reliable food and shelter are available. I am aware that we are reliant upon nature for our own survival still today, but I still don’t think that we should assume that just because something is natural it is good. Dr. Davis illustrated this point in ethics class by saying “hug a cobra”.