Shannon: A Poem of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

The youngest member of Lewis and Clark’s adventure, George Shannon rode off by himself to retrieve some lost horses, but got lost amid the endless buffalo pastures in what is now Nebraska. McGrath’s book-length poem follows Shannon’s thoughts, hopes and observations during his time alone. The young man faces practical difficulties: how will he hunt without bullets, how cook his food? “I am troubled to light a fire/ Lest it be the Sioux/ That take it as a signal.” As the poem continues, Shannon’s musings turn to theology, national destiny and (since he is 18) sex: “If my thoughts arise/ Direct from this land/ How other than God-ordained/ Could they be?” Neat visual effects (one page bears only the single word “buffalo”) complement McGrath’s sharp focus on his single character’s mind. Will he survive? (“Such a hunter as myself/ With game abounding to wither & starve/ Seems unlucky.”) Will he find his way back to his posse? Will America realize its own destiny? Should it? McGrath’s careful poem comes a few years after Lewis and Clark–themed novels (by Brian Hall and Diane Glancy), a bit late for the Lewis and Clark centennial; the poem should win notice on its very accessible merits nonetheless. (June)