Bee, Do an interpretative reading of the poem below. Explain each stanza. Genesis in Reverse —Anonymous In the beginning was the earth. It was beautiful. And man lived upon the earth, and man said: “Let us build skyscrapers and expressways.” And man covered the earth with steel and concrete. And man said: “It is good.” On the second day, man looked upon the clear blue waters of the earth. And man said: “Let us dump sewage and wastes into the waters.” And man did. The waters became dark and dirty. And man said: “It is good.” On the third day, man gazed at the forests on the earth. They were tall and green. And man said: “Let us cut the trees and build things for ourselves.” And man did. And the forests grew thin. And man said: “It is good.” On the fourth day, man saw the animals leaping in the fields and playing in the sun, And man said: “Let us trap the animals for money and shoot them for sport.” And man did. And man said: “It is good.” On the fifth day, man felt the cool breeze on his face. ‘And man said: “Let us bum our garbage and let the wind blow away the smoke and the dust.” ee eer Scanned with CamScannerAnd man did. And the air became dirty with smoke and poisonous gases. And man said: “It is good.” On the sixth day, man saw the many kinds of people on the earth, Different in race, color, and creed. And man feared and said, “Let us make bombs and missiles in case misunderstandings arise.” And man did. And missile sites and bombs destroyed different countries. And man said: “It is good.” On the seventh day, man rested. And the earth was quiet and still. For man was no more. He was dead. “And it was good.” Get a partner and answer these questions together. 14. Why is the poem entitled “Genesis in Reverse”? 2. What environmental problems are enumerated in the poem? Cite specific instances that show that what the poem speaks of is true. 3. What do you think the poem is telling us? 4. Why do these environmental catastrophes happen? 5. What does Mother Earth search for? What must we do as inhabitants of this beautiful planet? ARointstro} 3 onder “Genesis in Reverse’ talks about the continuous destruction of the natural world that God entrusted to us. The poem vividly shows that we have tumed ourselves into masters of God's wonderful Scanned with CamScanner