FAR from the northward, from the cloven ridges,
Pine-girt, deep-drifted with bewildering snows,
By ice-plowed gorge, the leaping river bridges,
Light span by span, from lake to lake below,
By mountain meadow, and the snow-fed hollow
Where birch and buckthorn thicket mark the trail,
Spurning the tawny hills in haste to follow
The long, brown reaches of a desert vale.
To east and west roll up the purple ranges,
Foot bound about by leopard-colored hills;
From east to west their serrate shadow changes;
From west to east stream down the tumbling rills.
Mocking the shadeless slopes and sullen ledges,
Through the sunburnt wastes of sage and yellow sand,
Run down to meet thy willows and thy sedges, —
O lonely river in a lonely land!
Foamless and swift thy winding waters follow
To find, unbosomed to the wind-swept skies,
The great lake lapping in a tideless hollow,
Wanton to each day’s changes as they rise, —
Purpling to meet the splendor of their mornings,
Paling to catch their tender mid-day blue,
Trembling alike to smilings and to scornings, —
Fleet light of loves, it cannot hold one true.
Like some great lioness beside the river,
With passion slumbering in her half-shut eyes,
Watching the light from heated sands up-quiver,
Untamed and barren, lone the valley lies.
Forego, O River, all the wrong you do her,
Hasting your waters to the bitter lake,
Rise from your reedy marges and subdue her,
So shall the land be fertile for your sake.
Analysis (ai): The poem paints a vivid landscape characterized by contrasting elements of harshness and beauty. It depicts a river flowing through a rugged mountainous region, eventually reaching a desolate desert valley. The river’s journey reflects the dual nature of the environment, showcasing both its grandeur and its unforgivingness.
The poem’s imagery is striking and evocative, capturing the beauty of nature while also highlighting its indifference to human desires. The river, described as “lonely” and “swift,” flows through a “barren, lone” valley, symbolizing the harsh reality of the landscape. The “purple ranges” and “golden hills” contrast with the “sage and yellow sand,” creating a sense of both allure and danger.
The poem’s structure and language contribute to its overall impact. The alternating long and short lines create a sense of rhythm and movement, mimicking the river’s journey. The use of enjambment further emphasizes the interconnectedness of the natural elements and the continuity of the river’s path.
In comparison to the author’s other works, this poem exhibits a more subdued and reflective tone, focusing on the harsh beauty of the desert landscape rather than the more spiritual and mystical themes explored in some of her other writings. It also reflects the literary trends of the time, with its emphasis on realism and the depiction of the natural world as a force beyond human control.
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