'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 headlike the ritual mask of a blood god, moved to the other endof the field, and waited.The neighbours heard of it, and by afternooncars lined the road. The children teased him
with alder switches and he gazed at themlike an old, tolerant collie. The woman askedif he could have escaped from a Fair.The oldest man in the parish remembered seeinga 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 capof thistles on his head.When the wardens came, everyone agreed it was a shameto 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 riverthe bull moose gathered his strengthlike a scaffolded king, straightened and lifted his hornsso that even the wardens backed away as they raised their rifles.When he roared, people ran to their cars. All the young menleaned on their automobile horns as he toppled.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Bull Moose by Alden Nowlan: A Critique and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that captures your attention and makes you feel like you are in the scene? A poem that makes you feel the emotions and see the images that the poet is trying to convey? If not, then you haven't read "The Bull Moose" by Alden Nowlan.

"The Bull Moose" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Canadian wilderness, the beauty of nature, and the power of a majestic creature. The poem tells the story of a bull moose that escapes from captivity and runs free in the wilderness. The narrator, who is likely a hunter, witnesses the beauty and power of the moose and is mesmerized by its strength and majesty.

The poem is divided into two parts. The first part introduces the reader to the moose and sets the scene. The second part describes the moose's flight and the narrator's reaction.

Part One: Introduction

The first two lines of the poem immediately grab the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of the piece.

"Down from the purple mist of trees on the mountain,
Lurching through forests of white spruce and cedar,

The use of the word "Lurching" in the second line gives the reader a vivid image of the movement of the moose. The reader can almost see the moose moving through the forest, its massive body causing the trees to sway and bend. The use of the words "purple mist" and "white spruce" give the reader a sense of the Canadian wilderness, and the beauty that lies within it.

As the poem progresses, the reader is introduced to the bull moose. Nowlan describes the moose in great detail, highlighting its strength and majesty.

"Heavy-shouldered, his massive neck and head Held high, he went crashing away Through the drifts like a wild horse, Steering with his wide, Antlered head".

The use of the words "heavy-shouldered" and "massive neck and head" give the reader a sense of the moose's strength and power. The reader can almost see the moose charging through the snow, its head held high, proud and majestic. The use of the simile "like a wild horse" gives the reader a sense of the moose's speed and grace.

Part Two: The Moose's Flight

In the second part of the poem, the moose escapes from captivity and runs free. The narrator witnesses the moose's flight and is left in awe of its power and beauty.

"We took the cue, And followed him into the snow-filled Woods. There Came a moment when the moose Stood stark, His shaggy mane dripping with Snowflakes, His eyes black as the spaces between stars. And he stood there, looking at us, And everything was still as if The world had stopped. I breathed his steam".

The use of the word "cue" in the first line gives the reader a sense of the narrator's excitement and eagerness to follow the moose. The description of the moose "dripping with snowflakes" and "black as the spaces between stars" gives the reader a sense of the moose's beauty and power. The use of the word "still" in the seventh line gives the reader a sense of the awe-inspiring nature of the moose's presence. The narrator is left breathless by the moose's steam, which gives the reader a sense of the narrator's sense of awe and wonder.

Interpretation

"The Bull Moose" is a poem that celebrates the power and beauty of nature. The moose is a symbol of the wildness and majesty of Canada's wilderness. The poem is a celebration of freedom and the spirit of the wilderness.

The poem also serves as a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature. The narrator is likely a hunter, and his reaction to the moose suggests that he is deeply moved by the beauty and power of the animal. The poem suggests that humans have a deep connection to nature, and that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve it.

In conclusion, "The Bull Moose" is a masterpiece of Canadian poetry. It captures the essence of the Canadian wilderness, the beauty of nature, and the power of a majestic creature. The poem is a celebration of freedom, the spirit of the wilderness, and the deep connection between humans and nature. If you haven't read "The Bull Moose" yet, do yourself a favor and read it now. You won't be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Bull Moose: A Poem of Nature and Humanity

Alden Nowlan's "The Bull Moose" is a poem that captures the essence of nature and humanity in a powerful and emotional way. The poem is a vivid description of a majestic bull moose that is hunted down and killed by a group of men. The poem is a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature, and how we often fail to appreciate the beauty and majesty of the natural world.

The poem begins with a description of the bull moose, "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 by a bullet." The imagery in these lines is breathtaking, as the reader is transported to the wilderness where the moose roams. The use of color, such as the "purple mist" and the "white spruce and cedar," adds to the visual impact of the poem.

The next stanza describes the reaction of the moose to the gunshot, "But somewhere running, / Running like the smoke from the barrel, / Was a man who had run hunting for a long time, / Who had nothing to eat that day, / Who feared not only hunger, but winter itself, / And who was afraid and cold and alone in the world." This stanza is a stark contrast to the previous one, as it shifts the focus from the moose to the hunter. The hunter is portrayed as a desperate man who is driven by the need to survive. The use of the word "running" twice in this stanza creates a sense of urgency and desperation.

The third stanza describes the death of the moose, "You are the one / I am waiting for, I said, / You are the one / I want to kill. / And straightway he came / To offer himself to me." This stanza is a powerful commentary on the relationship between humans and nature. The hunter sees the moose as nothing more than a means to an end, a source of food and warmth. The moose is reduced to a mere object, devoid of any value beyond its usefulness to the hunter.

The fourth stanza describes the aftermath of the killing, "The air was heavy with the scent of blood, / Flies buzzed and mumbled / Over the carcass, / And nervous horses stampeded in the fields / Where a strange man had appeared, / Telling them to be still." This stanza is a reminder that every action has consequences. The killing of the moose has disrupted the natural balance of the environment, and the animals are reacting to the presence of the hunter. The use of the word "nervous" to describe the horses creates a sense of unease and tension.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty and majesty of the moose, "I looked at that great bull, / The meanest of them all, / And thought of his velvet nose / Rubbing the branches / Of that mean cat-clawed tree, / Thought of his breath / Blowing out of his nostrils / Clouds of steam, / While he stands, snuffling at the water, / And I waited for a long time / Without knowing, / Watching the whole world / In a kind of daze." This stanza is a poignant reminder of what has been lost. The hunter is now able to appreciate the beauty and majesty of the moose, but it is too late. The moose is dead, and the hunter is left with nothing but regret.

In conclusion, "The Bull Moose" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of nature and humanity. The poem is a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature, and how we often fail to appreciate the beauty and majesty of the natural world. The poem is a reminder that every action has consequences, and that we must be mindful of our impact on the environment. The poem is a call to action, urging us to be more respectful and appreciative of the natural world.

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