Amends, by Adrienne Rich

Nights like this: on the cold apple-bough

a white star, then another

exlploading out of the bark:

on the ground, moonlight picking at small stones

as it picks at greater stones as it rises with the surf

laying its cheeck for moments on the sand

as it licks the broken ledge, as it flows up the cliffs,

as it flicks across the tracks

as it unavailing pours into gash

of the sand-and-gravel quarry

as it leans across the hangared fuselage

of the crop dusting plane

as it soaks through cracks into trailers

tremulous wit sleep

as it dwells upon the eyelids of sleepers

as if to make amends.

Story

It begins with the moon shining on the natural world, and moves onto it shining on man-made things.

Tone

The poem begins with a tranquil and calm tone, but as the poem continues it becomes more angry, and we feel a sense of agression.

Deeper Meaning

Man-made building on the landscape is very intrusive and bad for the environment. And the poem poses the question wondering if healing of the natural world is possible. Furthermore, it poses the question of man's insignificance in the world. 

Structure and Form

The 4 line stanzas create a sense of calm due to their regularity. Lack of punction creates a feeling of enjambent and the moon moving freely around the world.