Chris McCandless was an adventurer; a wide-eyed stargazer
who pursued life as a candlewick’s flame.
He was the living protégé of Tolstoy and Thoreau;
the only begotten son of Jack London’s “Call of The Wild.”
It was a lackluster society that he was sickened by;
the only cure being a journey into the great unknown.
”Give me truth” were the words that he lived by;
for love, money, fairness, and fame are fleeting things.
Let, not, your life be ruled by reason and by monotony,
but go forth and shake the very boughs of human existence.
His path would be a meandering road that led west;
crisscrossing the American landscape and, north, to the last frontier.
There, he would reside amongst the mountains, rivers, and sky;
Alaska would be his birth and, ultimately, his undoing.
In solitude, he mused about simple beauty, freedom, life, love,
the needlessness of human relationships, and God’s hand in nature.
Before the wild claimed him, Chris found the truth that he sought.
This lesson may have come at a high price, but it is universal:
“Happiness only real when shared.”
- Chris McCandless (Alexander Supertramp)
Author notes
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless
Everyone should read "Into The Wild" by Jon Krakauer.
A contest entry
- Alexander Supertramp by nOva-.
400 points, ended January 31, 7 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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another great poem. i love this one especially. i live in alaska, too, so thats kind of one reason why i like it so much. it has a fair meaning, a meaning everyone should know. and it is so calm to read, you wouldn't want to just read it once.
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I can tell this poem was written from the heart. This has wonderful truth and depth. I must confess to not knowing who Chris McCandless was...but now that I do...I admire his courage and belief system. I think you have penned an amazing write here. Good luck with the contest. It's a winner in my humble opinion.
Mariana
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Beautiful. A great tribute to an idealistic and courageous young man.
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my sister recently told me about him, actually. id never seen the movie. i like the idea of alaska being his birth, or rather, rebirth. very buddhist.
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Yess, that is right, you have managed to make my jaw hit the floor once again! This was superb Joe! Absolutely amazing. I've read and watched 'Into The Wild' but I do not think I'd ever be able to write for this contest. Haha. You did so well. I love your word choice and the imagery. I meant it when I say that this is Gold! 
Brilliantly penned. All the best to you in the contest, not that you need it but good luck anyway
Much love
Ylova
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