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ed wonder。 Look how the lilac bends under the assault; how the day lilies are flattened; how the hillside steps are a newmade waterfall! Now hailstones thumps upon the roof。 They bounce white against the grass and splash into the puddles。 I think of the vegetable garden; the fruit trees; the crops in the fields; but; thankfully; the hailstones are not enough in numbers or size to do real damage。 Not this time。
For this storm is already beginning to pass。 The tension is released from the atmosphere; the curtains of rain let in more light。 The storm has spent most of its energy; and what is left will be expended on the countryside to the east。
I am drawn outside while the rain still falls。 All around; there is a cool and wele feeling。 I breathe deeply and watch the sun’s rays streak through breaking clouds。 One ray catches the drops that form on the edge of the roof; and I am treated to a row of tiny; quivering colors—my private rainbow。
I pick my way through the wet grass; my feet sinking into the satuarated soil。 The creek in the gully runs bankfull of brown water; but the small lakes and puddles are already disappearing into the earth。 Every leaf; brick; shingle and blade of grass is fresh…washed and shining。
Like the land; I am renewed; my spirit cleansed。 I feel an infinite peace。 For a time I have forgotten the worries and irritations I was nurturing before。 They have been washed away by the glories of the storm。
。。
人與自然
'美國'漢密爾頓·懷特·馬堡
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漢密爾頓·懷特·馬堡(1846—1916),美國著名批評家、散文家。人與自然的關係是人們永遠關注的主題,馬堡也不例外,他在本篇中對人與自然關係的闡述,讓我們獲益匪淺。
從地球上出現人類起,人與自然之間的親密關係也隨之展開,而且不斷地被髮揚光大,這種關係每一世紀都比以前變得更為明智而深遠。因此,我們求助於自然,並把自然視為人類最年長和最有影響力的老師。從某一個觀點來看,自然曾一度是我們的監工,現在卻變為我們的奴僕。但從另一個觀點來看,自然一直是我們最忠實的朋友、教導者和啟發者。這種和諧緊密的關係,如果僅僅是少數人的特權,
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