A Mind Poet
Stays in the house.
The house is empty
And it has no walls.
The final type of poet that the narrator examines is the Mind Poet. He suggests that the Mind Poet explores and writes about the trials and tribulations of the mind. Unlike the previous poets, this poet does not need to explore the natural world, for he/she explores the matters of the mind and heart. In this way, the Mind Poet is dedicated to analyzing humanity and our human tendencies and instincts. It can be presumed that the narrator discusses the Mind Poet last because this poet explores the desires and impulses of humanity and, in doing so, helps us to better access and understand our own minds.
A war against earth.
When it’s done there’ll be
no place
A Coyote could hide.
In this concluding stanza, the narrator relates the metaphor he established at the start of the poem. He likens humanity and humankind to a scourge, a war upon the earth. He likens humankind to this destruction because, it is through our actions and efforts that we senselessly destroy and damage the natural world around us. Previously in the poem, the narrator had explained how war takes an immeasurable toll upon the plants and animals that also inhabit the planet. Here, the narrator suggests that humanity has waged a war against the earth and the natural world, for we no longer respect it or serve to protect it. He then suggests that, once we have destroyed the earth, the coyote—which is a metaphor for our own instincts and sense of self-preservation—will have nowhere to hide. In other words, the narrator is suggesting that we will first destroy the earth and then, in doing so, will ultimately destroy ourselves.
Not all those who pass
In front of the Great Mother’s chair
Get past with only a stare.
In this metaphorical and rather abstract poem, Snyder suggests that the Great Mother—presumably a representation of Mother Nature of Mother Earth—is always tending to her planet and judging those who do it harm. The narrator of this poem suggests that each person and species must face judgement by this God-like being. He appears to insinuate that humans will one day face judgement and will not simply be able to pass by her judgement unscathed. This is due to the fact that humankind has a tendency to harm the earth, rather than preserve it. In short, this poem serves as a warning for all of humanity to preserve and respect the earth, for we will one day face judgement from the being who created it.
So they bomb and they bomb
Day after day, across the planet
Blinding sparrows
Breaking the ear-drums of owls
Splintering trunks of cherries […]
In this stanza, the narrator emphasizes just how severely mankind has had a negative effect upon the natural world and its inhabitants. The narrator describes humankind’s proclivity for war. He suggests and explains that humans often only consider how war and bombs impact human lives, and yet completely ignore the effect it can have upon the plants and animals that also inhabit the earth. He describes how human wars can blind birds, burn habitats, ruin the hearing abilities of owls, and splinter the bark of trees. In this way, the narrator is detailing precisely how humanity can, through war, destroy both itself and its fellow inhabitants. The narrator uses this quotation to specifically highlight how the plants and animals of the earth are completely helpless against the violence of war and bombs; unlike humans, they have no means of protection or retaliation and so suffer helplessly.
