Yes, I think the way he adds in all the mountain terms makes it a lot more real, and also, incidentally, even fits in with the characters - they're cutting trails for the Survey, so of course they would know (and use) the geographical terms.
Oh, I've never read this before! Thank you for linking.
About ten years ago, I had a job that involved doing a ton of hiking around Nevada and Utah, and I really loved the descriptions in the opening stanzas. And then whoa – I did not see that ending coming.
Oh yes, I love the first bit for all the nature and mountain terms and setting! I actually read this in English (as a junior high school kid) in Alberta, so while I don't think I went to those mountains specifically and definitely not anything as dangerous as the Finger, it was neat.
That sounds like a neat job, what were you doing in Nevada and Utah? A dig, I'm guessing?
It definitely socks you with a punch at the end. I always walk into it enjoying the nature and then remembering just how much it takes you by surprise.
I got suspicious with the line about the goat, but then so much time and space elapsed while I waited for it to happen that I thought I was being overly morbid...
ETA: Perhaps not so unknown, though - I looked up the poet on Wikipedia, and apparently David has been widely taught in Canada. I'd imagine it's stuck in a lot of memories; it really is extraordinary...
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: Sep. 19th, 2016 03:08 pm (UTC)It touches my current life in several ways.
The local and technical vocabulary deepens it.
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Date: Sep. 19th, 2016 11:56 pm (UTC)Yes, I think the way he adds in all the mountain terms makes it a lot more real, and also, incidentally, even fits in with the characters - they're cutting trails for the Survey, so of course they would know (and use) the geographical terms.
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Date: Sep. 19th, 2016 01:22 am (UTC)About ten years ago, I had a job that involved doing a ton of hiking around Nevada and Utah, and I really loved the descriptions in the opening stanzas. And then whoa – I did not see that ending coming.
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Date: Sep. 19th, 2016 11:54 pm (UTC)Oh yes, I love the first bit for all the nature and mountain terms and setting! I actually read this in English (as a junior high school kid) in Alberta, so while I don't think I went to those mountains specifically and definitely not anything as dangerous as the Finger, it was neat.
That sounds like a neat job, what were you doing in Nevada and Utah? A dig, I'm guessing?
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Date: Sep. 23rd, 2016 08:36 pm (UTC)Yup! Well, actually a survey, which is where you walk all over hills and fields looking for sites for potential future digs.
no subject
Date: Oct. 9th, 2016 04:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Sep. 19th, 2016 12:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Sep. 19th, 2016 11:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Sep. 21st, 2016 03:05 am (UTC)I got suspicious with the line about the goat, but then so much time and space elapsed while I waited for it to happen that I thought I was being overly morbid...
ETA: Perhaps not so unknown, though - I looked up the poet on Wikipedia, and apparently David has been widely taught in Canada. I'd imagine it's stuck in a lot of memories; it really is extraordinary...
no subject
Date: Oct. 9th, 2016 04:25 am (UTC)And indeed that is where I learned of it! :D