Accountability By William E. Stafford - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

Cold nights outside the taverns in Wyoming
pickups and big semis lounge idling, letting their
haunches twitch now and then in gusts of powder snow,
their owners inside for hours, forgetting as well
as they can the miles, the circling plains, the still town
that connects to nothing but cold and space and a few
stray ribbons of pavement, icy guides to nothing
but bigger towns and other taverns that glitter and wait:
Denver, Cheyenne.
Hibernating in the library of the school on the hill
a few pieces by Thomas Aquinas or Saint Teresa
and the fragmentary explorations of people like Alfred
North Whitehead crouch and wait amid research folders
on energy and military recruitment posters glimpsed
by the hard stars. The school bus by the door, a yellow
mound, clangs open and shut as the wind finds a loose
door and worries it all night, letting the hollow
students count off and break up and blow away
over the frozen ground.

Poem Explanation and Appreciation

This poem vividly captures the quiet, cold nights in a small Wyoming town, focusing on the atmosphere outside taverns and the stillness of a remote place. The imagery of pickups and big semis idling in the snow, their "haunches twitching," evokes a sense of life paused, waiting in the harsh winter cold. The poem contrasts the warmth and activity inside the taverns with the vast, empty, and cold landscape outside — a town that seems disconnected from the rest of the world, linked only by icy roads leading to larger towns like Denver and Cheyenne.

Inside the school library on the hill, the poem shifts to a more intellectual and spiritual realm. Books by Thomas Aquinas and Saint Teresa symbolize deep philosophical and religious thought, while references to Alfred North Whitehead highlight the presence of complex, fragmentary ideas waiting to be explored. The poem suggests a quiet hibernation of knowledge and learning amid the starkness of the environment.

The final image of the yellow school bus clanging open and shut in the wind, and the students breaking up and blowing away over the frozen ground, conveys a sense of fleeting youth and transient moments against the backdrop of an enduring, cold landscape.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem reflects the experience of life in rural or small-town America, particularly in the vast open spaces of Wyoming. The author likely draws from personal observations or experiences in such environments, where isolation, cold, and the rhythm of everyday life shape the community's character.

The mention of historical and philosophical figures like Thomas Aquinas, Saint Teresa, and Alfred North Whitehead suggests the poet’s interest in blending spiritual, intellectual, and natural themes. These references add depth, inviting readers to consider how knowledge and faith persist even in remote and challenging settings.

Insights and Learning Points for Children and Students

From this poem, children and students can learn several valuable lessons:

• Imagery and Descriptive Language: The poem uses vivid descriptions to create a strong sense of place and atmosphere, which can help students understand how writers use sensory details to bring scenes to life.
• Contrast and Mood: The contrast between the cold, empty outside and the warmth inside taverns and the school library teaches about setting mood and tone in poetry.
• Cultural and Geographic Awareness: The poem introduces students to rural life in Wyoming and nearby cities like Denver and Cheyenne, expanding their understanding of different American landscapes.
• Philosophical and Literary References: Exposure to figures like Thomas Aquinas and Alfred North Whitehead encourages curiosity about philosophy, theology, and intellectual history.
• Themes of Isolation and Community: The poem explores feelings of loneliness and connection, useful for discussions about human experience and emotions.

Practical Applications and Learning Challenges

• Writing Practice: Students can try writing their own descriptive poems about their hometowns or places they visit, focusing on creating mood through imagery.
• Discussion Topics: Teachers can encourage students to talk about how environment affects people’s feelings and daily lives.
• Vocabulary Building: Words like "haunches," "hibernating," "fragmentary," and "clang" can be explored to enhance students’ vocabulary.
• Critical Thinking: Reflecting on why the poet chose to include philosophical figures can deepen students’ analytical skills.
• Emotional Awareness: The poem’s mood can help students identify and express feelings related to isolation or community.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What images does the poem use to describe the cold night outside the taverns?
2. How does the poem contrast the outside world with the inside of the taverns and school library?
3. Who are the historical figures mentioned in the poem, and why might the poet include them?
4. What mood or feeling does the poem create about life in this small town?
5. How does the poem use the image of the school bus and students at the end? What might this symbolize?

Answers

1. The poem describes pickups and big semis idling, their haunches twitching in gusts of powder snow, and the cold, empty town surrounded by icy roads.
2. The outside world is cold, still, and vast, while inside the taverns and library, there is warmth, activity, and intellectual life.
3. The poem mentions Thomas Aquinas, Saint Teresa, and Alfred North Whitehead, likely to represent deep spiritual and philosophical thought amid the quietness of the town.
4. The mood is one of quiet isolation mixed with a sense of waiting and endurance in a harsh environment.
5. The school bus clanging and students breaking up symbolize fleeting youth and the transient nature of life against the enduring cold landscape.

This poem offers rich material for exploring themes of place, mood, and the intersection of everyday life with deeper intellectual and spiritual reflections. It encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and complexity of even the most remote settings.