Question

Read the lines from The Elements of San Joaquín.

When you got up this morning the sun

Blazed an hour in the sky,



A lizard hid

Under the curled leaves of manzanita

And winked its dark lids.



Later, the sky grayed,

And the cold wind you breathed

Was moving under your skin and already far

From the small hives of your lungs.

The issue in this excerpt is the

poor physical health of the speaker as he works.
difficult conditions in which the speaker has to work.
strong connection of the speaker to his work.
confusing environment in which the speaker works.

Answer 1

difficult conditions in which the speaker has to work.

The lines show changing, harsh weather — blazing sun then a cold wind moving under the skin and affecting the lungs — indicating challenging physical conditions rather than illness, confusion, or a strong emotional bond to work.