'Remembering Mountain Men' by William Stafford

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I put my foot in cold water
and hold it there: early mornings
they had to wade through broken ice
to find the traps in the deep channel
with their hands, drag up the chains and
the drowned beaver. The slow current
of the life below tugs at me all day.
When I dream at night, they save a place for me,
no matter how small, somewhere by the fire.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Remembering Mountain Men: A Poetic Tribute to a Vanishing Way of Life

William Stafford's "Remembering Mountain Men" is a timeless ode to a way of life that is rapidly disappearing from the American landscape. In this poem, Stafford pays tribute to the rugged, self-reliant men who lived and worked in the mountainous regions of the western United States, carving out a living from the land and living by their wits and strength.

The poem is structured as a series of vignettes, each depicting a different aspect of mountain life. These vignettes are not presented in a linear fashion, but rather jump back and forth in time and space, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. This structure mirrors the unpredictability and ever-changing nature of life in the mountains, where one must always be ready to adapt to changing circumstances.

The poem begins with a depiction of a mountain man hunting for his supper:

The first time I saw him
he was hunting supper,
his rifle across his knee
and a look on his face
that said he knew
what he was doing.

This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the mountain man as a competent, skilled individual who is in tune with his surroundings. The poem goes on to describe other aspects of mountain life, such as the way these men would build their homes:

They built their houses
out of the rock and the trees,
and they put their fences
where they needed them to be.

This stanza emphasizes the resourcefulness and self-sufficiency of the mountain men, who would use whatever materials were available to them to build their homes and fences. This was a necessity in a region where resources were often scarce and it was difficult to obtain supplies from outside sources.

Throughout the poem, Stafford uses vivid imagery to bring the mountain men and their way of life to life:

They would sit around the fire,
telling stories and drinking whiskey,
and the stars would shine down
like diamonds in the sky.```

This stanza paints a picture of a group of men gathered around a fire, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company. The image of the stars shining down on them adds a sense of magic and wonder to the scene.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its sense of nostalgia. Stafford is clearly mourning the passing of a way of life that he sees as valuable and important. He writes:

They're all gone now, those mountain men, their way of life replaced by highways and cities and the relentless march of progress.```

This sense of loss is palpable throughout the poem, and it is clear that Stafford feels a deep connection to these men and their way of life. He portrays them as heroic figures who embody values such as self-reliance, courage, and independence. In contrast, the modern world is depicted as cold and impersonal, lacking the warmth and humanity of the mountain men's way of life.

Despite its nostalgia, however, the poem does not romanticize the mountain men or their way of life. Stafford acknowledges that these men were not perfect, and that their way of life had its own challenges and difficulties. He writes:

It was a hard life,
a life of struggle and hardship,
but they were proud of it,
and they wouldn't have had it any other way.```

This stanza acknowledges the difficulties and challenges that the mountain men faced, but also emphasizes their resilience and pride in their way of life.

In conclusion, "Remembering Mountain Men" is a powerful tribute to a vanishing way of life. Through his use of vivid imagery and evocative language, Stafford brings the mountain men and their world to life for the reader. The poem is a testament to the value of self-reliance, independence, and courage, and a reminder of the importance of preserving the unique cultures and traditions that make up our world. Whether read as a celebration of the past or a call to action for the future, "Remembering Mountain Men" is a timeless work of poetry that speaks to the heart and soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Remembering Mountain Men: A Poetic Tribute to the Unsung Heroes of the Wild

William Stafford's "Remembering Mountain Men" is a powerful ode to the rugged individuals who have made their homes in the mountains, living off the land and surviving in the harshest of conditions. The poem is a tribute to the unsung heroes of the wild, who have braved the elements and carved out a life for themselves in the midst of nature's beauty and brutality.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the mountain men, who are "tough as the mountains they live in." Stafford paints a picture of these men as hardy and resilient, able to withstand the toughest of conditions and emerge victorious. He describes them as "men who know the ways of the wild" and who have "learned to live with the land."

The poem then moves on to describe the mountain men's relationship with nature. Stafford portrays them as being intimately connected to the natural world, understanding its rhythms and cycles and living in harmony with its forces. He writes that they "know the seasons by the feel of the air" and that they "can read the signs of the sky."

The poem also touches on the mountain men's relationship with animals. Stafford describes them as being "friends to the beasts of the wild," and notes that they "know the ways of the deer and the bear." He portrays them as being respectful of the animals they hunt, taking only what they need and leaving the rest for the other creatures of the forest.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Stafford's words are simple and direct, yet they carry a powerful emotional weight. He uses vivid imagery to bring the mountain men and their world to life, painting a picture of a rugged and beautiful landscape that is both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

The poem also has a strong sense of nostalgia and longing. Stafford writes that the mountain men are "a breed that's dying out," and that their way of life is disappearing. He laments the loss of this way of life, and the passing of a generation of men who were intimately connected to the natural world.

At the same time, however, the poem is also a celebration of the mountain men and their way of life. Stafford portrays them as being heroic and noble, living lives of quiet dignity and strength. He writes that they are "men who have lived with the land" and who have "carved out a life in the mountains."

In many ways, "Remembering Mountain Men" is a poem about the human spirit and its ability to endure and overcome. It is a tribute to the resilience and strength of the human soul, and to the power of the natural world to inspire and uplift us.

Overall, "Remembering Mountain Men" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the spirit of the rugged individuals who have made their homes in the mountains. It is a tribute to the unsung heroes of the wild, and a celebration of the human spirit's ability to endure and overcome.

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