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About this quote

What does it mean?
Addressing the air as a mother that wraps and homes a child.
In plain terms
Air acts like a mother wrapping you up.
What can you take from it?
See nature as protective and nurturing.

Where it applies

  • comfort seeking
  • nature worship
  • environmental thinking

Putting it to work

  • seek comfort in nature
  • view earth as home

Questions to consider

  • Does nature feel like home to you?
  • What protects you?

Another view

Nature can be wild and not always protective.

More from Gerard Manley Hopkins

  1. I say that we are wound With mercy round and round As if with air.

    Permalink to quote #52
  2. Not, I'll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee; Not untwist-slack they may be-these last strands of man In me or, most weary, cry I can no more. I …

    Permalink to quote #54
  3. Wild air, world-mothering air, Nestling me everywhere, That each eyelash or hair Girdles; goes home betwixt The fleeciest, frailest-fixed Snowflake; that's fai…

    Permalink to quote #51

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