"Alum Rock Canyon," [San Jose, CA], by Carrie Stevens Walter (1895)
Author: Carrie Stevens Walter
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Once, long ago, when Nature’s hand
––Was busy at formation,
She found a box of chaos scraps,
––The loveliest of creation.
Or it could be a box of quilting scraps — scraps of cloth used to make quilts. Click here for picture of the “Chaos Scrap” quilt pattern: http://www.shinyhappyworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/controlled-chaos-finished-1000-px-no-logo.jpg
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And so, in sweet caprice––who knows––?
––To please some dear companion,
She took the store of beauty-scraps
––And made this matchless canyon.
I’m not sure what they mean by “to please some dear companion” my guess could be the view pleases people.
maybe this canyon, even ion its not the biggest, or most famous canyon, holds sentimental value to the writer, and in that sense, no other canyon can compete in his mind.
I feel like describing this canyon as “matchless” is meant in a good way. the reason for this is many people feel like nothing could be compared to this amazing view/moment
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The wildest, sweetest, fairest things
––Are here in glen and torrent,
You’ll vow there never was a place
––Like Alum Rock, I warrant.
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The quaint madrone, the laurel trees,
––And countless shrubs that cover
The mountain sides ; the soft, warm air,
––The blue sky bending over,
describing how beautiful the view is. you could even feel it when you think about it.
the “warm air” described in this poem helped me to remember times when i was in peace/ felt relaxed.
I feel like usually, the sky doesn’t bend for anything, that it is always there in the background, and the mountains are placed over it, not actually affecting the sky at all, so the author of this poem must think really highly of these mountains, if he thinks the sky bends out of its way to make room for them. The author also could’ve said this to show us the grandeur of the mountains.
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Make it a spot––when weary worn––
––You seek with loved companion,
And find the gods of rest and peace
––Dwell in this matchless canyon.
7 1895.
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/2088/2002
General Document Comments 1
I have been to this park before and the author does a great job helping visualize the beauty and tranquility of Alum Rock Park. Personification alongside her descriptions help paint the image of the parks unmatched beauty. This poem brought me back to exploring the park with my family growing up.
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