Turtle Island Poems

Gary Snyder’s Turtle Island has a collection of poems that focus on the earth and how society has become wasteful. Anasazi, Without, The Dead by the Side of the Road, and The Bath all share the same basic themes of simplicity and nature.

“Anasazi” (page 3) brings the reader into nature itself. Snyder takes a dive into a field of corn and beans, bringing the reader in with “eyes full of pollen.” By calling the fields “Gods” he is showing his respect for the food. The place he is describing is a simple area where he can sniff the scents of the animals, taste the ground, and hear the streams in the canyons.

Snyder intends on keeping this simplistic nature alive, and the poem “Without” (page 6) explains the power of nature. Humans are losing touch with the power of nature within themselves. Nature is silent in their hearts. The end of nature will come with this, and the only option is not to save Earth but to heal it. “Singing” the proof, truly feeling nature, is the way to reconnect humans to the “power within.”

            The following poem, “The Dead by the Side of the Road” (page 7), focuses on road kill. It shows that humans are wasteful creatures that need to learn to properly make use of everything. Most people would leave a deceased animal lying on the road; rather, respect for the being should be taken and it should be used for something useful. Snyder explains that when he found a Ringtail he case-skinned it and turned it into a pouch. The souls of these poor creatures should be prayed for, according to Snyder, because as humans we are at fault for their death.

            Lastly, “The Bath” (page 12), illuminates the simplicity that humans should enjoy. Snyder and his family bathe each other and appreciate each other’s bodies. The tools the family uses for the bath are simple: a kerosene lantern, an iron stove, a wooden bucket, fire, and water. What is necessary is only used rather than fancy tools. The family is simple and in touch with nature. After the bath, Snyder’s family rests, gaze at the stars, and share joy in each other’s company and laughter on “Great Earth.” Snyder’s theme is apparent in each of the poems, and it is easy to see that any human can take a step back.