By Shahid Abbas
ILA Magazine Contributing Editor
Nature is the Mother of all beauties and home of unlimited charms. Without it, all genres are foxy with the absence of ornaments and this is something which is a priceless boon as well as the bountiful blessings of the Almighty. It exists in the literary works of every culture. It is the backbone of plots and also helps us to learn about the original image. The world is endowed with rich beauteous natural resources which can all be inspirations to compose lovely poetry and prose and to even be the eternal subjects of masterpieces. As the great poet, John Keats said: "The poetry of the earth never died." Shakespeare also stated before that: "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
With the increasing threats of global warming, it's our responsibility to take care of NATURE.
Nature is the soul of the worldly body. How can we as humans help nurture nature in our own little ways? Nature shows peace, calmness, power, and strength as well. A few writers consider it as a path for independence. The ancient people took it with their own perspectives. For instance, the Earth refers to a woman whose anger brings earthquakes.
William Blake also talked about its importance and said: "The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity...and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself."
In poetry, nature is a religion for Romantic Poets. There is pleasure that exists in it, and they discover life secrets in her. William Wordsworth seeks God in nature and said: "Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher." He further said in his poem 'Tintern Abbey': "Nature never did betray the heart that loved her."
S. T. Coleridge perceives nature with supernatural portions. He stated: "For he on honey-dew hath fed, and drank the milk of Paradise." John Keats the great Romantic poet says: "No bird has left in the world, which has not left an influence on his mind". For Keats, nature was his best friend.
Both writers and artists use sky as the symbolism of calmness and the dwelling of gods, it also shows the Divine forces. The blue sky is portrayed for happiness and serenity. The sky at night presents the picture of death and evil forces and the heavy cloud formations bring sadness to the core.
The lovely rainbow after the rain connotes hope and a brand new tomorrow; a solemn promise of the Divine. Using nature in Literature would be like a Good Man who is 'Hard to Find.'
O'Connor perceives that there is nothing in the sky, it's religious imagery in it. It means that there is no God, and that humanity cannot hope for salvation. Sun is another common symbol which is used in Mythology. It gives life to everyone. It also shows power, Divine forces as well. The sunrise shows hope whereas, the sunset exposes the end of life. For example, in the novel Klara and the Sun 'Klara can see outside the window to watch the rising and setting of the Sun, which she believes gives her nourishment.'
Water is also a traditional sign which is used in different works. It depicts rebirth, power, chaos, and danger. Sea also shows life. This is also a symbol of the rites of baptism that washes away sins. Water in the novel Crime and Punishment comes to represent life and renewal and has different meanings for different characters. For positive characters, it connotes life and growth. Whereas, water terrifies negative characters with its threat of death.
Another literary device using nature are the woods. Woods are always dangerous for human and people believe dark forces live among them, therefore they express beign lost, endangered, and mysterious as well.
"I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die, discover that I had not lived. - Henry David Thoreau
Nature is the most vital boon of god. It fulfills our desires. With the increasing threats of global warming, it's our responsibility to take care of it. It's our home and many creatures live and thrive for our benefit. God creates all things for us. Everything like the sun, the moon, trees, and animals. She provides us food, oxygen, water, shelter and medicine as well.
There is no doubt that we should nurture Mother Nature because she does protect us, too. Because of its love we are alive, motivated, and healthy. Our universe. presents paradise. Human beings are making progress and trying to reach other planets but they have ignored our only home. Due to our greedy behavior, we are spoiling its purity. if we don't take care and preserve it, the priceless gift of the Almighty, we will be the killers of our future generations. Unfortunately, we are unaware of the dangers of not protecting nature and so we reap what we sow.
As P. B. Shelly wrote: "The Flower That Smiles To-Day"
The flower that smiles to-day
To-morow dies;
All that we wish to stay
Tempts and then flies.
What is this world's delight?
Lightning that mocks the night,
Brief even as bright.
© Percy Bysshe Shelly
( 1792-1822)
Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Shahid Abbas is a multi-award International author and poet from Karapla, Tandlianwala Faisalabad, Pakistan. He is the author of "Words From Nature" and the co-author of "We Speak in Syllables." His words have also been featured in various international anthologies and diverse literary platforms both in print and online. Shahid's works have been translated into 10 different languages.
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