'Axe Handles' by Gary Snyder

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One afternoon the last week in April
Showing Kai how to throw a hatchet
One-half turn and it sticks in a stump.
He recalls the hatchet-head
Without a handle, in the shop
And go gets it, and wants it for his own.
A broken-off axe handle behind the door
Is long enough for a hatchet,
We cut it to length and take it
With the hatchet head
And working hatchet, to the wood block.
There I begin to shape the old handle
With the hatchet, and the phrase
First learned from Ezra Pound
Rings in my ears!
"When making an axe handle
the pattern is not far off."
And I say this to Kai
"Look: We'll shape the handle
By checking the handle
Of the axe we cut with—"
And he sees. And I hear it again:
It's in Lu Ji's We Fu, fourth century
A.D. "Essay on Literature" - in the
Preface: "In making the handle
Of an axe
By cutting wood with an axe
The model is indeed near at hand."
My teacher Shih-hsiang Chen
Translated that and taught it years ago
And I see: Pound was an axe,
Chen was an axe, I am an axe
And my son a handle, soon
To be shaping again, model
And tool, craft of culture,
How we go on.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Axe Handles by Gary Snyder: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Gary Snyder's "Axe Handles" is a poem that celebrates the bond between father and son, and the importance of passing down traditions from one generation to the next. The poem is rich with symbolism and metaphor, and its language is both accessible and powerful. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as the poet's use of language and imagery.

Overview of the Poem

The poem begins with the speaker recalling an experience from his childhood, when he and his father were preparing to split wood. The speaker remembers how his father handed him an axe handle, describing it as "an axe handle / made entirely of man-root." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the connection between the natural world and human activity.

The poem then moves into a meditation on the relationship between father and son, as the speaker considers the lessons his father taught him through their shared work. The poet uses a series of metaphors to describe this relationship, comparing the father to a "bear in the mountains" and the son to a "young tree."

In the final section of the poem, the speaker reflects on the importance of passing down traditions and teachings from one generation to the next. He describes the process of teaching as a kind of "dance," in which the older generation must learn to let go and allow the younger one to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

Themes and Motifs

One of the central themes of "Axe Handles" is the relationship between humans and the natural world. The image of the "man-root" axe handle is a powerful metaphor for this connection, as it suggests that human tools and technologies are rooted in the earth and shaped by natural processes. Throughout the poem, the speaker emphasizes the importance of respecting and honoring the natural world, as well as the necessity of working in harmony with it.

Another important theme of the poem is the relationship between fathers and sons. The poet uses a series of metaphors to describe this relationship, suggesting that it is both nurturing and challenging. The father is compared to a bear, a symbol of strength and protection, while the son is compared to a tree, a symbol of growth and potential. The poem suggests that the relationship between father and son is one of mutual respect and support, but also one that requires both parties to take risks and face challenges.

Finally, "Axe Handles" is a meditation on the process of teaching and learning. The poem suggests that passing down traditions and knowledge from one generation to the next is a complex and delicate process, one that requires patience, humility, and a willingness to let go. The image of the dance is a powerful metaphor for this process, suggesting that teaching and learning is a kind of partnership, in which each generation must learn to work together in order to create something new.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking elements of "Axe Handles" is its use of simple, powerful language. The poem is written in short, direct sentences that convey a sense of immediacy and intimacy. The poet uses concrete images and sensory details to bring the scene to life, such as the smell of the wood and the sound of the axe hitting the log. This language gives the poem a sense of authenticity and honesty, creating a powerful emotional impact on the reader.

The imagery of the poem is also rich and evocative. The image of the "man-root" axe handle is a powerful symbol of the connection between humans and the natural world, while the metaphor of the dance captures the complexity and beauty of the teaching and learning process. The poet also uses imagery to create a sense of movement and change, such as when he describes the son as a "young tree / growing / straight and fast / into the blue sky."

Conclusion

In "Axe Handles," Gary Snyder has created a powerful and moving poem that celebrates the connection between humans and the natural world, and the importance of passing down traditions and knowledge from one generation to the next. Through its rich language and evocative imagery, the poem captures the complexity and beauty of the father-son relationship, as well as the challenges and rewards of teaching and learning. As readers, we are left with a sense of awe and wonder at the mysteries of the natural world, and a deep appreciation for the bonds that connect us to each other and to the earth.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Axe Handles: A Poem of Connection and Renewal

Gary Snyder's "Axe Handles" is a classic poem that speaks to the heart of human connection and renewal. Written in 1983, the poem is a meditation on the relationship between a father and son, and the power of tools to shape our lives and our world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of "Axe Handles," and consider how they speak to our own experiences of family, work, and the natural world.

The poem opens with a description of the father and son splitting wood together, using a "two-man saw" to cut through the logs. The imagery here is vivid and tactile, as Snyder describes the "muscles bulging" and the "sweat running down" as they work. This physicality is important, as it sets the stage for the deeper themes of the poem. The act of splitting wood is not just a chore, but a ritual of connection between the two men. As Snyder writes, "I loved my father and wanted to please him."

This desire to please the father is a central theme of the poem, and one that resonates with many readers. The relationship between parent and child is complex and often fraught, but Snyder captures the simple joy of working together, of sharing a task and a purpose. The act of splitting wood becomes a metaphor for the larger project of life, of working together to create something meaningful and lasting. As Snyder writes, "We'll work up a real good sweat / and punch that dough down."

The image of "punching dough down" is a powerful one, as it suggests the transformative power of work. Just as the dough must be punched and kneaded to become bread, so too must we work to shape our lives and our world. The act of splitting wood becomes a way of connecting with the natural world, of harnessing its power and using it to create something new. As Snyder writes, "The living qualities of the wood / become part of the person."

This idea of connection between human and natural worlds is a central theme of Snyder's work, and it is especially evident in "Axe Handles." The poem is full of images of trees and wood, of the "grain of the fir" and the "redwood burl." These images are not just decorative, but are integral to the poem's meaning. The wood becomes a symbol of the natural world, of its beauty and its power. As Snyder writes, "The grain of the wood / is wild and tough / and can be split / but cannot be broken."

This idea of wildness and toughness is important, as it suggests the resilience of the natural world. Despite our efforts to shape and control it, the natural world remains untamed and unpredictable. The act of splitting wood becomes a way of connecting with this wildness, of acknowledging our own limitations and our place in the larger scheme of things. As Snyder writes, "We stand in the rain in a long line / waiting at Ford Highland Park. / For work."

This image of waiting in line for work is a powerful one, as it suggests the ways in which we are all connected by our need to work and to create. The act of splitting wood becomes a way of connecting with this larger project, of working together to create something meaningful and lasting. As Snyder writes, "We'll work up a real good sweat / and punch that dough down."

The final lines of the poem are especially powerful, as Snyder reflects on the meaning of the work he has done with his father. As he writes, "I am an axe / And my son a handle, soon / To be shaping again, model / And tool, craft of culture." This image of the son as a handle is a powerful one, as it suggests the ways in which we are all shaped by the work we do and the people we work with. The act of splitting wood becomes a way of connecting with our own history and our own place in the world.

In conclusion, "Axe Handles" is a classic poem that speaks to the heart of human connection and renewal. Through its vivid imagery and powerful themes, the poem captures the simple joy of working together, of sharing a task and a purpose. The act of splitting wood becomes a metaphor for the larger project of life, of working together to create something meaningful and lasting. The poem is full of images of trees and wood, of the wildness and toughness of the natural world. Through its powerful imagery and themes, "Axe Handles" reminds us of the importance of connection, of working together to create something meaningful and lasting.

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