In "Each Whining Thing," Paul Bowles paints a dark, surreal image of a world in turmoil. He imagines a time when nature's beauty is disrupted by ominous transformations, like snakes creeping and birds' screams silencing the serene landscape. This unsettling vision suggests a profound transition from peace to chaos, evoking a sense of dread and foreboding. The speaker’s frustration is palpable, as he reflects on the loss of tranquility in the natural world.

As the poem progresses, the speaker expresses a desire to reclaim control over this disordered reality by "ripping out smiles" and transforming peaceful creatures into predators. The imagery of transforming minnows into hawks and introducing tarantulas and bees hints at a reversal of the natural order. This urge to "unmake" signifies a wish to eradicate everything that causes discomfort or dissatisfaction, revealing a deeper yearning for a purer existence untainted by the anxieties of life.