Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Welch’s "Wrath of Lester Lame Bull" blends humor, vivid natural imagery, and subtle commentary on human resilience and frustration within rural life. Welch, renowned for his ability to intertwine Native American cultural elements with the harsh realities and oddities of life in the American West, delivers a poem that is both playful and layered with meaning. The character of Lester Lame Bull stands at the center of this narrative, embodying the tension between man and nature, and perhaps the futility and absurdity inherent in attempting to control the uncontrollable.

The poem opens with a vivid, almost comic image: “Bears are in the cabbage again, cunning soles crashing down carrots, faces thick to wear a turnip green.” The incursion of bears into Lester’s garden introduces the central conflict of the poem—nature’s intrusion into human space. The phrase “cunning soles” anthropomorphizes the bears, attributing them a kind of mischievous intelligence as they trample the carrots. Their faces thick to wear a turnip green further amplifies this image, suggesting not only the bears’ physical presence but also a grotesque kind of disguise, as if they are mockingly donning the very vegetables they destroy. This playful yet chaotic depiction sets the tone for the poem, where nature is both comically unruly and indifferent to human efforts at order.

“Not even the onion dissents.” This line personifies the onion, suggesting that even the vegetables themselves offer no resistance to the bears’ rampage. The humor here is subtle, but it underscores a sense of helplessness—the natural world operates on its own terms, and neither man nor plant can prevent its incursions. This line also hints at a broader theme of complicity or resignation in the face of inevitable forces, be they natural or societal.

The focus then shifts to the titular character: “Lester Lame Bull in his garden grows twenty rows of winter store, a piddling score to court against the blue of mountain ash.” Lester Lame Bull’s name itself is evocative, suggesting a figure who is perhaps physically or metaphorically marked by past hardships. The twenty rows of winter store reflect his diligent efforts to cultivate and prepare for the harsh season ahead. However, the phrase “a piddling score” diminishes this effort, framing it as insignificant when set against the grandeur and permanence of nature, represented by the blue of mountain ash. This juxtaposition highlights the disparity between human endeavor and the vast, indifferent natural world.

“Cottonwood limbs rattle his bones.” This line seamlessly blends the external environment with Lester’s internal experience. The cottonwood limbs—likely swaying or clattering in the wind—mirror the physical or emotional state of Lester himself, suggesting frailty, age, or a deep connection to the land that shakes him to his core. This image reinforces the idea that Lester is both part of and at odds with the natural world around him.

The poem then takes a dynamic turn: “Lester storms those pesky winds, stoning crows from purple cups.” Here, Lester actively confronts the elements. The phrase “storms those pesky winds” suggests both literal and metaphorical resistance—Lester refuses to passively accept the disruptions caused by nature. His stoning crows from purple cups evokes a vivid image of him defending his crops, perhaps grapevines or other fruit-bearing plants, from scavenging birds. The act of stoning crows aligns Lester with ancient, almost biblical forms of retribution, emphasizing both his desperation and his determination to assert control over his environment.

“Quirky grins are thick in muscatel.” This line introduces an element of humor and perhaps inebriation. Muscatel, a type of cheap fortified wine, is often associated with low-cost, strong alcohol favored by those seeking escape or comfort. The quirky grins suggest a community or group of people—perhaps Lester’s neighbors or even Lester himself—finding humor or resignation in their shared struggles, aided by the dulling effects of alcohol. This line adds a human, communal dimension to the poem, contrasting with Lester’s solitary battle against nature.

The final, unexpected line—“Elephants are whispering in backyards.”—plunges the poem into surreal territory. Elephants, creatures far removed from the rural landscapes of Montana, symbolize memory, grandeur, and perhaps the absurdity of imagining something so out of place. The idea of whispering elephants adds a layer of mystery and intrigue, suggesting that beneath the surface of rural life, there are strange, unseen forces at play. This surreal image could symbolize the magnitude of the challenges Lester faces, or it could represent the intrusion of larger, uncontrollable forces—whether they be nature, memory, or societal change—into the everyday lives of people in this setting.

Structurally, "Wrath of Lester Lame Bull" is composed in free verse, allowing Welch to shift fluidly between grounded, descriptive imagery and surreal, unexpected elements. The poem’s tone oscillates between humor and seriousness, reflecting the complexities of human interaction with nature and the absurdity often found in daily struggles. The sparse, direct language enhances the poem’s impact, allowing the vivid imagery to take center stage without unnecessary embellishment.

At its core, "Wrath of Lester Lame Bull" is a reflection on the tension between human effort and the indifferent, often chaotic forces of nature. Lester Lame Bull represents the everyman figure—resilient, determined, and slightly comical in his attempts to impose order on a world that resists it. James Welch captures the essence of rural life, where survival depends not only on hard work but also on the ability to laugh at the absurdities that arise when humans confront the natural world. Through its blend of humor, vivid imagery, and surreal touches, the poem invites readers to consider the ways in which we navigate the unpredictable elements of life, finding moments of defiance, community, and perhaps even grace amidst the chaos.

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