"Rhymes of a Roughneck" by Frank J. Cotter is a collection of poetry composed during the early 20th century, specifically around the time of World War I. The work draws heavily on the experiences and landscapes of Alaska, encapsulating the rugged lives of prospectors and those who were drawn to the North by dreams of wealth, adventure, and the allure of untamed wilderness. The poems explore themes of hardship, resilience, and a
deep connection to the land, illuminating the harsh realities faced by those who sought fortune in the Alaskan frontier. The collection paints a vivid portrait of life in Alaska, contrasting the struggles of harsh winters, elusive gold mines, and the challenge of solitude against the rich beauty of the landscape. Each poem serves as a reflection on the human condition, highlighting the lust for wealth, the bonds of companionship, and the trials of individual ambitions. Characters such as roughneck prospectors, malamutes, and even allegorical representations of the land itself come alive as Cotter captures their hopes and disillusionments. Ultimately, the work is a tribute to the tenacity of those who call Alaska home, filled with both admiration and a sobering acknowledgment of the realities of frontier life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 74.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Contents
The birth of the land -- A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree -- When the water starts to run -- The throwback -- The malamute -- Unsatisfied -- The prospector -- If -- Us for Sam -- How long? -- That 30 U.S. on the wall -- Flotsam -- Trying -- The new master -- Prospecting -- The woman that you pass by -- Why -- And still I like Alaska.
Credits
E-text prepared by Audrey Longhurst and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
