Fishermen, salt-gatherers and the noticing of harm

The poet then pictures particular kinds of work being set aside. He imagines those who hunt whales in the cold ocean stopping their pursuit, so that for once the great creatures are spared. He also imagines a labourer who gathers salt looking down at his own damaged, aching hands. The idea is that when the frantic activity stops, people begin to notice the harm they cause to other creatures and the injury they do to th …