Explore how the poet interacts with nature in Hunting Snake

and Summer Farm.

Introduction
The interaction between the poet and nature in both poems hunting snake
and summer farm are explored through similar use of vivid imagery to a
visceral and nearly hypnotic ambience toward nature. However, there are
differences in the way the poets depict their relationship with elements of
nature-Wright adopts an extended metaphor to highlight contrasting feelings
of awe and fear, whereas MacCraig explores more personal ideas, using
parallelism to look into self-definition and existentialism.
First Paragraph
-Imagery is used to both poems to highlight minute details and give sensory
rich reading experience. Both the poems are made more graphic and
evocative due to the dense imagery adopted in both.
Straws like tame lightnings lie about the grass. And hang zigzag on hedges.
Green as glass.
-creates image of the sharp, severe and crooked nature of lightning, in a less
extreme tame light of the straw.
-green as glass is strange but provokes image of still, calm waters without
poet having to directly address it, evokes certain sensory stimulus by
bringing about others.
- nine ducks go wobbling by in two straight lines. This is main reason why
poet incorporates imagery in summer farm, and it is to highlight his relentless
scrutiny to the minute details in nature, suggesting awe and appreciation, as
well as a possibly genuine fascination.
- Sun-warmed in this late seasons grace, The great black snake went
reeling by. Imagery incorporated to help readers feel specific ambience of
the late season, while attributing regal, mysterious qualities to the snake.

Second Paragraph
The relationship between the poet and nature in the hunting snake is
portrayed through the contrast between the movement of the snake and the
stillness of the onlookers.
-Head-down, tongue flickering on the trail, he quested through the parting
grass []and we lost breath to watch him pass.
-What is a portrayed stirs up an interesting atmosphere, as this contrast is a
reciprocal to most commonly held notions today, where it is mankind which
acts, while nature is forced to stand still, subservient.

-What track he followed, what small food fled living from his fierce intent.
Cold, dark and splendid he was gone
Another dichotomy is drawn upon in these quotes. The poet feels fear, as the
ferocity and power of the snake poses danger, but at the same time diction of
dark and splendid gives nearly a feeling of reverence. Both emotions are
powerful, all in all highlighting the snakes might and potency.

Third Paragraph
In Summer Farm, the poet comes to terms that he is one with nature, and
themes of universality and self-definition are intertwined within the intricate
descriptions of the world around him.
I lie, not thinking, in the cool, soft grass, Afraid of where a thought might
take me.
This shows the shift from focus on nature onto introspection. The poet has
previously spoken of solely close examinations of nature around him, and is
now nearly afraid to think, a direct reflection that nature is so much bigger
than the individual.
Self under self, a pile of selves I stand Threaded on time, and with
metaphysic hand.
Here he contemplates his role in generations of people, places and farms that
have preceded him. Despite this humbling and overwhelming notion, he
realizes not only is he one with every man, but he is also one with nature.