Final answer:
The mood of William Stafford's poem "What if we were alone" is best described as reflective, indicating a contemplative and introspective atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that best describes the mood of the poem "What if we were alone" by William Stafford is reflective. Poetry often encapsulates various moods and emotions, engaging the reader with its use of language to convey deeper sentiments. The mood reflects the poet's introspective state as they consider hypothetical situations or ponders existential questions.
When analyzing poetry for its mood, one looks at the atmosphere created by the poet through their choice of words, imagery, and thematic elements. The term reflective suggests that the poem invites the reader to contemplate or meditate upon the ideas presented. Various poems, like Dickinson's work, which can discuss themes of death and isolation without becoming too melancholic, do so by incorporating elements that lift the mood or introduce a thoughtful perspective.