Summary of Gaia ( Lohani )

Unit 8 : The Human Condition

Flax-Golden Tales

Gaia
– Four Levels of Interactions

Shreedhar Lohani , Nepal (1944)

For : BA / BBS First Year
Business English

Literal Comprehension :
“ Gaia ” is abeautiful poem composed by Shreedhar Lohani , a great poet of Nepalese literature . In this poem ‘Gaia ’ means the earth. The poet shows that the earth or Gaia is in pain . But she is capable of taking care of herself and enduring everything . The poet says that the stormy wind blows among the withered palms , heavy and devouring rain hits the earth. The seas become furious . The mountain peaks become crooked. Time plucks at the world on its gray thing . Wings smell of mildew covers the earth. Everywhere around the world there is hunger and turbulence . Even though, the earth tolerances . Gaia is tolerant and capable of taking care of herself.

Interpretation:
The poet may be trying to compare Gaia with the earth. The earth is gentle: feminine nurturing but also cruel to those who exploit her . The poet also says that the earth is in pain but she has capacity to endure everything . He also tries to alert us that if we continue exploiting the earth, she may strike us back . Finally , the poet also hopefully says that the earth is capable to look after herself.

Critical thinking:
Although, this poem is interesting and metaphorical . Some ideas of the poet are not convincing. How can non -living things feel pain or sadness ? If Gaia is capable of taking care of herself, why should we care the earth?

Assimilation :
The poem has affected me very much . The poet has appealed us to think about the earth seriously . After reading this poem I understood that Gaia is in real pain and if we exploit her , she may not endure and strike us back . This poem also instructed me to respect and love the mother nature or the earth.