So disasters come not singly; But as if they watched and…
“So disasters come not singly; But as if they watched and waited, Scanning one another's motions, When the first descends, the others Follow, follow, gathering flock-wiseRound their victim, sick and wounded, First a shadow, then a sorrow, Till the air is dark with anguish.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Calamities often cluster, feeding on each other, creating overwhelming suffering.
In simple terms: Disasters tend to happen together.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for cascading crises.
Themes
adversity
interconnectedness
danger
psychology
Mood
somber
urgent
Type
poetic
cautionary
When to use this quote
- emergency response
- mental health support
- community resilience
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
Cascade effect
collective trauma
vulnerability
Questions to Reflect On
- What early signs indicate a looming cascade?
- How can communities interrupt this pattern?
A Different Perspective
Not all hardships are inevitable; human agency can break the chain.