Mountain Man
Mountain Man
I was a man born out of time and a century or two too late, I should have been a Mountain Man. Growing up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in a time before video games, cell phones and iPads was a learning experience that kids nowadays will never know. We played outside until the sun went down and our mothers would shout out from the front steps for us to come home. Summer nights were filled with, hide and seek, and kick the can. Summer days were filled with riding your bikes, exploring the outer regions of your neighborhood and beyond with your best friends. Shooting BB guns, fishing, tubing, catching crawdads and guppies were our everyday events. More often than not we would pitch tents and camp out and watch the stars hoping to catch a shooting star. My friends and I would tell tales of ancient times of bravery and honor of those that walked our mountains before us. Our heroes were mountain men. Men like Hugh Glass, Jim Bridger, William Sublette, Jim Beckworth, and Jedediah Smith.
As a youngster there were two things that changed how I would forever look at the world. The first was I read Jack Londons “Call Of The Wild.” The second was a movie starring Robert Redford “Jeremiah Johnson.” Jack London and Robert Redford cemented my love for all things wild and good ole’ mother nature. The poem below is my salute to the mountain men that dared go where no man had gone before.
“Mountain Man”
Rocky Mountains spoke to him, saying his name,
Packed his Hawkins rifle, headed there to lay his claim.
Indians fought, pelts to trap, weather to tame,
Many years passed a Mountain Man he became.
Freezing rain, harsh winter, waist deep snow,
Cold temperature and frost bite took many a toe.
Scars on his scalp from a female panther swipe,
All alone, no give up in the man, he wasn’t the type.
More years passed, winters seemed longer,
Wishing for the time, younger and stronger.
Never once thinking about heading down below,
No way in hell, leave his loved mountain plateau.
His 40th winter, he died, gave it his all, everything he was worth,
Living the life he chose, Rocky Mountain marrow of the earth.
By Kurt James
Kurt James © 2016
WHERE TO BUY KURT JAMES BOOKS AND NOVELS:
https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-James/e/B01DTOJ7KC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1520388517&sr=8-1
The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, all well-known Denver, Colorado media sources, have highlighted the powerful and evocative work of poet and novelist Kurt James. Focusing on Old West history, Kurt contributes feature articles to HubPages and Creative Exiles, exploring the eerie silence of ghost towns, the thrilling tales of outlaws and gunfighters, and the evocative imagery found in the Rocky Mountains.
Kurt’s early admiration for writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand played a significant role in honing his skills as a storyteller. Twenty-one books (and counting!) transport readers to the Colorado Rockies and the Old West through Kurt’s vivid descriptions; the feel of rough-hewn cabins, the sounds of coyotes howling under starry skies, and the smells of campfire smoke and sagebrush are all palpable.
Find Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry—published by Midnight Wind Publishing—in print copies or digital downloads at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other excellent bookstores; explore the diverse range of formats available.
Currently in production - The 10th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Lee Moomaw Former Lawman.
Kurt is a proud member of the Western Writers of America, a group that values storytelling.
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It is good to have you back on board, Kurt. This is a wonderful post which I can relate to. The first novel I read was Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” and then the sequel “White Fang”. I remember the movie “Jeremiah Johnson” with Robert Redford too, and did a lot of the same things as you as a kid. “The Man from Snowy River” the poem by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson and later the movie were an inspiration to me, though I never lived in the Snowy Mountains region it was set. I enjoyed your poem also.
Thanks John and it is good to be back… White Fang was another great book for a kid like me and so it seems you. I did not realize “The Man from Snowy River” was on a poem and I assure you I will be reading it today. Thanks for that tad bit of info.
My gosh, Kurt, as growing up stuff you did the same things my brothers and I did. You brought back a lot of memories for me. I love your poem. Mountain men were a different breed. I have read a lot about them, including the ones you mention. I wrote an article on Hugh Glass – that man had nine lives, remarkable. Call of The Wild was the first real book I read in 7th grade. Great work here, Kurt. Welcome back.
Thanks Phyllis, Hugh Glass was one of my first hero’s and I have read everything I could find about him that. I will have to try and locate your article. Is it on Hubpages? It would seem “Call of the Wild” was a first book for many kids. How wonderful is that?
Hugh Glass – Horrific True Story of the Legendary Mountain Man http://alastarpacker.weebly.com/once-upon-a-history/hugh-glass-the-horrific-true-story-of-the-legendary-frontiersman
When I researched and read everything I could find on Hugh Glass I was beyond amazed. I tell ya – that man was extraordinary!
Hugh Glass – Horrific Story of the Legendary Mountain Man. When I read everything I could find in my research I was astounded. That man was extraordinary.
http://alastarpacker.weebly.com/once-upon-a-history/hugh-glass-the-horrific-true-story-of-the-legendary-frontiersman
Wonderful article and well done, loved the fact that you wrote it. And you are correct Hugh Glass was nothing sort of extraordinary as were most of those type of men in those high adventure times. I have recently finished my 2nd novel and have started my third called “Rocky Mountain Ghost” and it is the story of a mountain man Matt Lee (my youngest son first and middle name) and when I write all I can think of is those men like Hugh Glass….
I want to read your books. Are they available on Amazon?
Yes, just my novel is, go to amazon and google “Rocky Mountain Reckoning” or Kurt James… my second novel should be available in the next 30 days my authors proof will be mailed to me today or tomorrow…….My photography book ‘Colorado Clarity” is available on Blurb, but not for long and am switching publishers soon with that one…
Very enjoyable read and your childhood sounds a whole lot like mine. Almost like heaven, huh?
Almost like heaven? It is funny you say that, at the time you never realize it and until those days are long gone. Heaven sounds like a good description. If your childhood had some of those some memories than you are just as lucky. Thanks for stopping by Jackie
kurt, I grew up in Indiana — no mountains there. But a couple of years ago I had the opportunity to work for six months in Missoula, Montana. It was a magical time in my life. Every weekend was a different hike with my backpack and gear into the canyons of the Bitterroot mountains, the backcountry of Glacier NP and the wild places of Jewel Basin. I can appreciate the childhood you enjoyed. Great poem. Thanks for sharing.
Chris, thanks for stopping by and leaving those kind words. MY hope for you was that in those 6 months you were able to enjoy an autumn in the high country. I have been to Glacier and what a wonderful place. The Rocky Mountains are nothing short of awe inspiring to me. I have a very good friend that lives in Indiana and I need to go visit her some day, she says there are plenty of covered bridges there for me to partake in some photography.
I don’t know much about art but I am interested in purchasing a good quality print of The Mountain Man. Its the one with him standing in front of his horse. Can you tell me the best way to go about it. I want a large one to go over our fireplace.
The artist for the painting above is named Alfredo Rodriquez. Google his name for his website and you should be able to purchase a print off his website. Here is his website for purchases http://alfredoartist.com/