The Awakening

Well it is quite interesting how several times now during this past year and a half of college my English and Literature class somehow relates to me. This time in my current literature class, its an intricate novel known as, "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. I had no idea what this novel withheld until a significant other read the summary out loud to me one night. It was unbelievable how much I already felt I had in common with the book with just a simple paragraph. What I specifically relate to within this novel is the whole idea of being connected with nature. Edna Pontellier had to live with the unbearable pressures of the traditional aspects of society at that point in time, but once she stepped out into nature and just flowed with the beauty of it...she felt at ease. Throughout the novel she has several "Awakenings", that in my opinion created wonderful imagery and were majestically written, in which she escapes from her troubles by marveling at the beauty and significance of nature. I am enticed by her awakening and comparison of the ocean to that time in her younger years that she walked through the vast grassland at the plantation she used to live in. Now arises the question of...."How does this relate to me?" Well it's difficult to just cut it down to several sentences but I have had several troubles in my life recently in which I've had no one to really vent with about. Yet, when I encounter the essence of nature...it's the perfect remedy for my troubles. I too feel a special connection with the world and our universe... I cannot simply inscribe in here the emotion that lives within me for mother nature but I do have two poems I wrote that can give you a bit of insight of how I feel:

Earth Literacy Field Experience

By Manuela Aguilar

To abstain from society is a great way to heal,
Every sound, sight, scent and feeling can give me a therapeutic feel.

Out here amidst the mountains and dense foliage,
I can experience the purity of nature without any human damage.

The diversity of birds singing their unique songs,
Echo like a symphony all day long.

A huge bee just randomly crossed my path,
Which at first was quite startling,
But I questioned it reason for being
And decided to just sit quietly.

Although I am foreign to this new forest community,
I am positive we can all live in harmony.
And this was naturally proven to me when the furry bee
Just flew by me.

It’s interesting to stand amongst the trees,
And hear the wind in the distance,
Rustling swiftly down the mountain,
Finally reaching and surrounding me with quiescence.

Darkness paints the sky a different hue,
While the wilderness gives rise to a new singing crew.
Above me spans a spectacular galaxial view
And as my eyes wander to find each constellation,
I am enlightened by our connection and cosmological relation.

What brings me much sorrow is what’s in store for me tomorrow,
And the sad truth is things are still the same back at home.

Instead of the peaceful awakening to the birds,
And constant songs to mother earth,
I’ll be domed by the negativity and insecurity
Society saturates upon my urbanized community.

Although the unlikable and unnatural is my daily habitat,
Within me lies a universal being that has the power to change that.

Everyday and night that I live upon this planet,
I dive into my subconscious to find my inner self,
And this journey I was fatefully chosen for has allowed me
To find the perfect remedy for me and for the world.

Well thats it. I don't have access to the other poem at this moment but I'll add it later. But anyway, I also must mention that I never knew about Eco-Feminism up until now that I've encountered, "The awakening". I honestly find the whole movement extremely interesting and very idealistic at some points. But to be ideal is not a bad thing.