'The Bull Moose' by Alden Nowlan
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Down from the purple mist of trees on the mountain,
lurching through forests of white spruce and cedar,
stumbling through tamarack swamps,
came the bull moose
to be stopped at last by a pole-fenced pasture.
Too tired to turn or, perhaps, aware
there was no place left to go, he stood with the cattle.
They, scenting the musk of death, seeing his great head
like the ritual mask of a blood god, moved to the other end
of the field, and waited.
The neighbours heard of it, and by afternoon
cars lined the road. The children teased him
with alder switches and he gazed at them
like an old, tolerant collie. The woman asked
if he could have escaped from a Fair.
The oldest man in the parish remembered seeing
a gelded moose yoked with an ox for plowing.
The young men snickered and tried to pour beer
down his throat, while their girl friends took their pictures.
And the bull moose let them stroke his tick-ravaged flanks,
let them pry open his jaws with bottles, let a giggling girl
plant a little purple cap
of thistles on his head.
When the wardens came, everyone agreed it was a shame
to shoot anything so shaggy and cuddlesome.
He looked like the kind of pet
women put to bed with their sons.
So they held their fire. But just as the sun dropped in the river
the bull moose gathered his strength
like a scaffolded king, straightened and lifted his horns
so that even the wardens backed away as they raised their rifles.
When he roared, people ran to their cars. All the young men
leaned on their automobile horns as he toppled.
Submitted by cutebabystar
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Bull Moose: A Masterpiece in Poetic Form
Alden Nowlan's poem "The Bull Moose" is a mesmerizing, evocative masterpiece that explores themes of beauty, death, and the natural world. At its heart lies a powerful meditation on the inevitability of mortality and the fleeting nature of existence, as seen through the eyes of a majestic animal that is nearing the end of its life. With its vivid imagery, hypnotic rhythms, and poignant emotional resonance, this poem stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire us.
The Poem's Structure
One of the most striking aspects of "The Bull Moose" is its carefully crafted structure, which perfectly complements the poem's content and themes. The poem consists of twelve stanzas, each of which contains four lines. The first line of each stanza begins with the word "Night," followed by a description of the moose's journey through the forest. The second and third lines of each stanza describe the moose's physical appearance and actions, while the fourth line offers a brief reflection on the moose's fate.
This pattern gives the poem a sense of rhythmic consistency, while also allowing Nowlan to explore the moose's journey in a series of discrete, self-contained moments. The repetition of the word "Night" at the beginning of each stanza also serves to emphasize the passage of time and the changing of the seasons, as the moose makes its way through the forest.
The Use of Imagery
Nowlan's use of imagery is also a key element of the poem's success. Through his carefully chosen words, he creates a vivid portrait of the moose and its environment, inviting the reader to imagine the scene in their mind's eye. For example, in the first stanza, we see the moose "plunging through the snow" with a "crash of heavy antlers," while in the second stanza, it is described as "towering over the trees" with a "graceful, powerful stride."
These images are not only beautiful in their own right, but they also serve to convey the moose's strength, majesty, and vulnerability. As the poem progresses, we see the moose becoming weaker and more fragile, until by the end, it is "limping away on battered legs" and "vanishing into the forest." This gradual decline is mirrored in the changing images that Nowlan uses, from the moose's initial strength and power to its final moments of exhaustion and frailty.
The Theme of Mortality
At its core, "The Bull Moose" is a meditation on mortality and the inevitability of death. Throughout the poem, Nowlan reminds us of the fleeting nature of existence and the fragility of life, as the moose makes its way through the forest towards its final destiny. This theme is reflected in the poem's structure, with each stanza representing a small, finite moment in the moose's journey.
The poem's final stanza is particularly poignant, as we see the moose "limping away on battered legs" and disappearing into the forest. Here, Nowlan reminds us that death is an inevitable part of life, and that even the most powerful and majestic creatures must eventually succumb to it. The final line of the poem, "And what else?" serves as a stark reminder of our own mortality and the impermanence of all things.
The Emotion of the Poem
One of the most remarkable qualities of "The Bull Moose" is its emotional resonance. Through his use of imagery and language, Nowlan creates a sense of empathy and connection with the moose, allowing us to share in its journey and feel its pain and struggle. We are moved by the moose's strength and grace, and we feel a sense of sadness and loss as it reaches its final moments.
This emotional power is enhanced by the poem's use of rhythm and sound. The repeated use of the word "Night" at the beginning of each stanza creates a hypnotic, almost musical effect, while the poem's carefully crafted structure gives it a sense of momentum and forward motion. These elements work together to create a powerful emotional impact that lingers long after the poem has been read.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alden Nowlan's "The Bull Moose" is a masterful work of poetry that explores themes of mortality, beauty, and the natural world with power, beauty, and emotional resonance. Through his use of imagery, rhythm, and structure, Nowlan creates a vivid and unforgettable portrait of a majestic creature that is nearing the end of its life. This poem stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire us, and it deserves to be celebrated as a true masterpiece of the art form.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Bull Moose: A Poem of Nature and Humanity
Alden Nowlan’s “The Bull Moose” is a classic poem that captures the essence of nature and humanity in a powerful and evocative way. The poem is a vivid description of a bull moose that has been shot and killed, and the impact it has on the people who witness its death. Through its use of imagery, symbolism, and language, the poem explores themes of life and death, the relationship between humans and nature, and the power of the natural world.
The poem begins with a description of the moose, which is portrayed as a majestic and powerful creature. The moose is described as “massive, formidable, / it has the air of a being / that knows no pity and will not be stopped.” This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of strength, power, and wildness. The moose is not just an animal, but a force of nature, a symbol of the untamed wilderness that surrounds us.
As the poem progresses, the focus shifts from the moose to the people who witness its death. The poem describes a group of men who have come to hunt the moose, and who are now standing over its body. The men are described as “silent, / and strange, / in the morning light.” This description suggests that the men are not just hunters, but also witnesses to a powerful and mysterious event. They are in awe of the moose, and of the power it represents.
The poem then shifts again, this time to the emotions of the people who witness the moose’s death. The poem describes the men as feeling a sense of “strange exhilaration,” as if they have been part of something powerful and transformative. The poem suggests that the death of the moose has had a profound impact on the men, and that they are now connected to something larger than themselves.
The poem then returns to the moose, which is now described as “dead, / its huge neck / hanging limp and heavy / over the edge of the world.” This description is both beautiful and haunting, and it captures the sense of loss and finality that comes with death. The moose is no longer a symbol of power and strength, but a reminder of our own mortality.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the moose’s body being carried away by the men. The poem describes the men as “carrying the moose / on their shoulders / in the morning light, / across the fields, / frozen dew on their boots.” This image is both beautiful and tragic, and it captures the sense of loss and sadness that comes with death. The men are carrying the moose away, but they are also carrying a part of themselves, a part of the wildness and power that they have witnessed.
Overall, “The Bull Moose” is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of nature and humanity in a profound way. The poem explores themes of life and death, the relationship between humans and nature, and the power of the natural world. Through its use of imagery, symbolism, and language, the poem creates a vivid and unforgettable portrait of a world that is both beautiful and tragic, wild and tamed, powerful and fragile. It is a poem that reminds us of our own mortality, and of the power and mystery of the natural world that surrounds us.
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