# Communing with Nature explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator sits on a hill at evening, observing nature and the city, but is interrupted by a rainstorm that dampens his poetic mood.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Artifice

The contrast between the natural scene (hill, sun, stars, rain) and the artificial city lights (gas flaring, Montgomery Street) highlights the tension between nature and human-made environments.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator communes with nature on a hill, observing children, the sun, stars, and the city before a rainstorm interrupts.

## Key lines

> I put out one hand to caress them, but held With the other my nose, for these cherubim smelled.

I reached out to touch the children, but had to hold my nose because they smelled bad.

_The narrator's attempt at a tender moment with children is undercut by their unpleasant odor._

> Though dampened my ardour, though slackened my strain, I'll 'strike the wild lyre' who sings the sweet rain!

Even though my enthusiasm and effort were dampened by the rain, I will still play the wild lyre and sing about the sweet rain.

_Despite the rain ruining his mood, the narrator resolves to continue his poetic expression._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/communing-with-nature
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters