
TO YOU WHO WILL UNDERSTAND
TO YOU WHO CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
MEN OF THE LINE
THE BREAKER OF THE TRAIL
THE RODMAN'S DREAM
THE MUSTERING OF THE LEGION
THE DESERTED COAST
THE RHYME OF THE ROLLING STONE
MY SENTINELS
THE BONNETS
A sweeping lyrical tribute to the men and women who carved roads through untamed wilderness, this collection blends heartfelt verse with vivid sketches of early 20th‑century frontier life. The poet’s voice shifts between reverent admiration and quiet sorrow, honoring the grit of surveyors, pioneers, and the quiet heroes whose names have faded. Each stanza paints campfires flickering against dusk, the endless stretch of prairie, and the relentless roar of rivers being tamed. The language is both formal and intimate, inviting listeners to feel the raw wind and echoing footsteps of those who ventured into the unknown.
Addressed directly to the reader, the verses serve as a quiet dialogue between history and present, urging modern ears to remember the sacrifices behind the railways, bridges, and towns that now dot the map. Through stark imagery of frost‑bitten nights, scurvy‑thin bodies, and solitary oaks, the poet balances triumph with the haunting cost of progress. Listeners will find the rhythm both marching and contemplative, a fitting soundtrack for anyone drawn to rugged landscapes and the human stories etched into them.
Language
en
Duration
~50 minutes (48K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Al Haines
Release date
Jul 18, 2019
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1883–1952
A poet of the Canadian frontier and the First World War, his work drew on lived experience as an engineer, surveyor, and soldier. His verse carries both the toughness of field life and a clear feeling for place, duty, and memory.
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