Turtle Island Poems

Turtle Island Poems

"Without"
         The theme of this poem is the power of nature.  Many people believe the word power automatically denotes strength and overbearing.  But the power of nature lies within its peacefulness.  Nature has the ability to cause stillness in one's soul, and also the ability to heal.  It is up to humans whether or not they embrace this power by spending time appreciating and meditating in this power.

"The Bath"
         In this poem, Gary Snyder depicts a bathing scene where he is giving his son a bath at first, and then he watches as his wife bathes his son.  The theme is the beauty of the human body.  At first Snyder is describing his son's body, giving focus to his genitalia, simply because the genitalia are the most beautiful part of the human body due to their reproductive ability.  As he washes his son, he reflects are how their bodies are the same, Kai's is just not developed.  Then his wife comes in and finishes the bath, and he reflects on the beauty of her body.  And how her body is both beautiful and important to him and Kai, but for different reasons.  For example, her nipples are a source of nourishment to Kai, but a source of sensual pleasure to himself.  But both Kai and himself treasure Masa'a nipples, and the rest of her body as well.

"Pine Tree Tops"
        The theme of this poem is not simply nature, but how man reacts to nature.  This poem appeals to many of the senses.  It appeals to sight with the glowing sky, smell with the pine tree tops, and hearing with the creak of boots.  This poem gives detail to parts of nature that are easily overlooked.  It ends with an interesting question, that could easily mean many things.  One possible answer could be that nature is unpredictable and will never be fully understood by man.  But the power of nature lies in the unknown of it.

"For Nothing"
        The theme of this poem is that nature is all around us, and all nature does is give, while never taking in return.  Snyder depicts how nature is found in flowers, phloxes, and even the minuscule salts of the earth.  He describes the flower as a glimmer and color, but then simply forgotten.  This reflects how mankind uses and appreciates the earth at times, but when nothing is to be gained, mankind abuses and neglects the earth.