Gary Snyder’s work Mid-August at Sourdough Mountain Lookout describes the nature view that the narrator observes “looking down for miles” from the observation deck on the mountain’s top (Snyder). The poem opposes the calming and sunny setting of nature to the shadow mention of unrest cities with people who lose touch with close ones because of continuous series of inconsiderable problems. Despite its concise composition, the poem effectively emphasizes the importance of individuals’ connection with nature.
Throughout the poem, the author gives several arguments for nature and its central place in humanity. Firstly, the narrator views nature alone; even though he had “a few friends,” they lost connection because they are in cities (Snyder). Furthermore, the “swarm” of flies in poems is mentioned to symbolize the loud buzzing sound of cities (Snyder). The narrator holds a tin cup of cold water, meaning that his hand feels a cold metal touch, contrasting with the warm setting of the valley in “three days heat” (Snyder). Thus, by featuring small details in the poem, the author emphasizes the unnatural and meaningless state of life of people living in the cities who are deprived of a connection with nature.
The poem Wild Geese, written by Mary Oliver, also focuses on the theme of people’s place in nature. The author suggests that instead of focusing on despairs, an individual should embrace their inner “soft animal” because, like any animal, humans also have their place “in the family of things” (Oliver 35). Thus, after releasing their unnecessary worries, people will be happy and free as “wild geese, high in the clean blue air” (Oliver 35)
Furthermore, my emotional reaction to the poem was comforting and inspiring. My reaction to the author’s suggestion to let go of personal despairs because the world continues to go on allowed me to breathe freely and let go of unnecessary worries. Moreover, the poem states that an individual should prioritize self-care in letting his inner “soft animal” to “love what it loves” (Oliver 35). The idea of the importance of self-care for human nature and the existence of mutual understating within the world that leaves no place for loneliness inspired me to be kind and understanding to other people.
Works Cited
Oliver, Mary. “Wild Geese.” Dream Work, Grove Atlantic, 2014, pp. 35-36.
Snyder, Gary. “Mid-August at Sourdough Mountain Lookout”. Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems, Counterpoint Press, 2003. Web.