Summary:

"Soft Storm" by Abhi Subedi is a poem about feeling sad because of the hard things happening around. The poet feels very sensitive when seeing homeless children hungry and people being hurt for no reason. He becomes very upset, like a storm, because of all the pain he sees and feels.

Even though he tries to share his feelings and words, he thinks no one listens. He looks at nature and sees beauty mixed with all the troubles people face. In the end, he wants to help others feel better by being like a calming presence, hoping to make their troubles easier. Overall, the poem talks about caring for others in a tough and difficult world.

Comprehensive Analysis:

●      Societal Turmoil: The poem delves into the chaos and absurdity present in society. It highlights instances of violence ("a man beaten mercilessly for no reason"), the plight of homeless children, and the grim realities faced by individuals amidst a turbulent and unjust world.

●      Emotional Transformation: The poem explores the poet's emotional journey from a state of hardness to becoming emotionally soft or sensitive. This transformation is triggered by witnessing various distressing events and injustices, leading the poet to feel deeply affected and compassionate.

●      Symbolism: The 'soft storm' symbolizes the poet's intense emotional turmoil amidst turbulent times. It represents the amalgamation of conflicting emotions—rage, compassion, sorrow, and yearning for change.

●      Observation of Distress: Subedi vividly describes scenes of suffering, including homeless children crying for food, violence inflicted upon innocent individuals, and the haunting memories of war depicted through a blood-stained shirt.

●      Disconnection and Yearning: The poem touches upon the disconnect between spoken words and actual actions, implying a lack of understanding or heed paid to the poet's expressions. There's a desire for empathy and connection, emphasizing the importance of truly listening and comprehending others' emotions.

●      Nature's Imagery: Nature imagery like crocuses, storms, moonlit nights, and rhododendrons are used to depict the emotional turbulence and the tumultuous state of affairs in the world. These images add depth and vividness to the poet's contemplation.

Overall, "Soft Storm" is a poignant poem that reflects the poet's deep emotional response to societal upheavals and personal contemplation on the need for empathy, connection, and understanding in tumultuous times.

Answer the following questions. 

a. When does the speaker grow soft? Enlist the occasions when he grows soft. 

The speaker feels a wave of compassion (gets "soft") whenever he witnesses suffering or injustice. This happens:

●      When he hears the "uproar" and crashing of the world around him.

●      When he sees homeless children crying in hunger.

●      After returning from witnessing chaos and neglect.

●      Upon seeing a lost child searching for his mother and a man beaten senselessly.

●      When noticing silent remnants of suffering, like a bloody shirt and ruined temples.

b. What do you understand by ‘this seamless city’? 

"This seamless city" can have a few meanings:

●      Looks good on the surface, but hides problems: The city might seem neat and tidy, but it ignores deeper issues like poverty and violence.

●      No real connection or feelings: Everything feels smooth and empty, lacking the ups and downs of real life.

●      Stuck in a rut, repeating itself: The city can't break free from its established patterns, leading to stagnation.

c. Describe the poor children portrayed in the poem. 

The poem shows two groups of vulnerable children:

●      Homeless kids in Thamel: These children are hungry and crying under the trees, highlighting their loneliness and despair.

●      A lost child with a radio: This kid is scared and running around searching for his mother, feeling helpless and alone.

d. What do you understand by ‘the unwedded gardens of history’?

This phrase paints a picture of:

●      Forgotten or ignored parts of the past: These "gardens" represent historical events or lessons we've neglected, leading to present consequences.

●      No link to our history: We're disconnected from the wisdom and experiences of the past, making us feel lost and fragmented.

●      Unfulfilled potential of the past: These barren gardens symbolize missed opportunities and unachieved dreams of previous generations.

e. Why was the forlorn child wailing? 

The lost child cries because:

●      He's scared and alone, separated from his mother.

●      He feels vulnerable and unsafe in a world that seems indifferent.

●      He might have experienced harm or neglect, adding to his fear and uncertainty.

f. What do you understand about ‘soft storm’? 

The "soft storm" is a complex feeling combining:

●      Compassion and anger: It represents the speaker's sadness and concern for those suffering, mixed with a desire to change things.

●      Inner struggle: It shows the speaker's own emotional journey in processing and responding to injustices he sees.

●      Potential for positive change: Despite being gentle, the storm holds the power to disrupt the status quo and bring about improvement.

g. Why does the speaker call our time ‘mad time’? 

The poem calls our time "mad time" because:

●      Chaos and absurdity are everywhere: Violence, inequality, and suffering run rampant in the world.

●      Moral compass is lost: Reason and ethical principles seem forgotten, leading to harmful actions.

●      Unpredictable and unstable: Things change rapidly and unexpectedly, making us feel unsure and insecure.

h. What does the speaker want to do in “hard times”? 

During tough times, the speaker longs to:

●      Escape the harsh realities: He wants to find peace and solace in something smaller and more manageable, like a "tiny sky."

●      Connect with someone else who feels the same: He hopes to share his "soft storm" with someone who understands his turmoil and offers understanding.

●      Ultimately, the speaker seeks comfort and connection amidst the suffering, searching for meaning and beauty even in the midst of "mad times."

 Reference to the context

a. The poet uses the word ‘soft’ with the words like ‘storm’ and ‘gale’, which generally refer to disorder and violence. What effect does the poet achieve through the use of such anomalous expressions? 

Effect of Anomalous Expressions:

●      Combines contrasting words ("soft" with "storm" and "gale") to create surprise and challenge expectations.

●      Suggests a different, more compassionate approach to responding to suffering and injustice.

●      Encourages deeper reflection on how we react to social problems.

b. What is the speaker’s attitude towards the time he describes in the poem? 

Speaker's Attitude towards Time:

●      Feels sadness, disappointment, and helplessness in the face of widespread suffering and injustice.

●      Sees the world as chaotic, out of control, and lacking reason, as indicated by words like "tumult," "melee," and "mad time."

●      Longs for a better world but feels overwhelmed by the challenges.

c. What is the speaker like? Is he a rebel? Why? Why not? 

Speaker's Persona:

●      The speaker is not a traditional, outspoken rebel.

●      His "soft storm" represents a quieter, more introspective form of rebellion against injustice.

●      His compassion, sadness, and desire for change challenge the status quo, even without overt actions.

d. Explain the stanza below in your own words: I became soft when I saw a blood-stained shirt speaking in the earth’s ears with bruised human lips in the far corner under the moon of history and dreams playing hide and seek in open museums of human times.

Explanation of the Stanza:

●      A bloody shirt, a symbol of violence and pain, lies forgotten in a corner.

●      It whispers its stories to the earth, bearing witness to past suffering.

●      The "moon of history" shines on it, reminding us of the enduring presence of the past.

●      "Dreams playing hide and seek in open museums" suggests that hopes and aspirations are neglected and forgotten in a society that ignores its history.

●      The stanza calls for remembrance and learning from the past to break cycles of violence and create a better future.