The poem is not titled "An Awful Storm Mashed Air," but rather "An Awful Storm." The phrase "mashed air" is indeed a line from the poem, and it is a striking example of the imagery Carey uses.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning of the phrase "mashed air" in the context of the poem:
* "Mashed" implies a forceful, chaotic action. It suggests the air is being compressed, twisted, and churned by the storm's violence.
* "Air" represents the very element the storm is wreaking havoc upon. It's the medium through which the storm's power is felt.
Therefore, "mashed air" symbolizes the storm's brutal force and its ability to disrupt and distort the natural environment. It creates a visceral image of the storm's unrestrained energy, leaving the reader with a sense of awe and perhaps even fear.
The poem as a whole explores themes of nature's power, human resilience, and the fleetingness of life in the face of such overwhelming forces. The "mashed air" serves as a powerful symbol of the storm's destructive potential, emphasizing the vulnerability of those caught in its path.