His poetry is known for its balance of stillness and exuberant energy and incorporates elements of shamanism, the natural world, and living and oral tradition that challenge many western values. His experiences as a logger and ranger in the Pacific Northwest were inspirations for his first two collections of poetry: Riprap (1959) and Myths and Texts (1960). ... During the 1940s there was some confusion, some growing awareness of "beat" or "furtive" terms that described the times. ... Gary Snyder was one of the original Beat poets, and along with Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Alan Watts he...

• Word Count: 974
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School