Mountain Man Of The Rockies Poem by Edmund V. Strolis
Mountain Man Of The Rockies
The cave was enough for a tomb.
From this vacant ledge above the valley.
He could watch his final sunset.
In the bosom of all her glory.
Bears, bars and Indian scars.
Tattoos that told a real story.
The man of the mountain now forgotten.
A granite and cattail soul was he.
No thought was there of regret.
His oak frame did not contain that grain.
As pure as a man can be, he simply was.
Tasting a change in the weather.
No time had he for philosophy.
Yet he heard the woodpecker at dusk.
He felt the snow shift under foot.
He knew the ways of the fox.
Slipping away with the western rays.
The pine trees waved a final goodbye.
Closing his eyes with a sigh.
The canyon walls darkened with night.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/25/2024 2:00:35 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Another awesome character portrait of the Mountain Men, important characters in US history! You've done such a great job of conveying their character as well as the landscape. These men must have been really interesting people... I love the line, 'bears, bars, and Indian scars! ' Question: is this poem about a specific mountain man? You mention in the opening stanza that he saw his final sunset in a cave the size of a tomb... Is this poetic license or a specific story? Kit Carson? Someone else? Thanks for another well-written poem!
Well thank you Pamela, no this is no Kit Carson and the cave consideration was actually based on what I could imagine would be preferred by someone that knows they are at their end. A place away from creatures both two and four legged where their body may rest and surrender to the elements. When I climbed onto a ledge in the Badlands of North Dakota the memory of an isolated ledge stayed with me. I think these men and frontier women represent what American's need to embrace. Less fear and surrendering of independence and more talk of what can be done. I respect your opinion very much based on your talent as a writer. I am learning and feedback is great. Even if it is critical I appreciate it. Suggestions or whatever, many people are offended by these things. I am the opposite in that regard.