July 25, 1846, along the Big Sandy.
Thus we scatter as we go along
the arid stretches are so dry
the hills are so steep
that we must constantly tar
and mend the wheels
it would have been better
not to bring
any baggage whatever
only what is necessary
to use on the way
if I were to make this journey again
I would make quite different preparations
to pack and unpack so many times
and to cross so many streams
the custom of the mountain men
is to possess nothing
and then you will lose nothing.
March 1, 1847, by Alder creek.
Must we devour ourselves
in order to survive?
is this new continent
a place where we can live
only by thrusting down
that fragile barrier
the ancient loathing
to eat each other's flesh?
for my children I find it
not so hard:
I must give them
nourishment
from whatever source
they will not question where
but for me
I cannot see
how I could bear to live
by eating my friend's death.
