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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem "Horse In Amsterdam, After Rembrandt" is a reflection on a horse as seen through the lens of Rembrandt’s art. The poem delves into the mystique and intensity of the horse’s appearance, suggesting a world of emotions and experiences hidden within its "blazed face." The poem opens with a wish: "If I could read the blazed face of this huge horse at night." The word "blazed" suggests both the distinctive marking on the horse’s face and a metaphorical illumination, as though the horse’s expression is brightly lit in the darkness. Ferlinghetti describes the horse’s "hair like black flame and its eyes charred chestnuts," using fire imagery to convey a sense of burning intensity. The horse’s hair becomes "black flame," suggesting movement and energy, while its eyes are "charred chestnuts," evoking a smoldering darkness. The speaker admits that if he could interpret the horse’s expression, he "would want for words to tell of the deeps drowned there." The "deeps drowned" implies a world of submerged emotions and unspoken stories, emphasizing the depth of the horse’s presence. The phrase "and the dumb world muted there" adds to this sense of hidden mystery, portraying the horse as a silent witness to the complexities of life. Ferlinghetti continues to explore the metaphorical landscape of the horse’s eyes, describing them as a place "where the souls of dark trees raise their raving arms." Here, the "dark trees" symbolize nature’s deep roots and the primal instincts within the horse, while "raving arms" suggests a kind of wild desperation or untamed spirit. This imagery hints at the connection between the horse and the natural world, suggesting that the animal embodies an elemental force that transcends domestication. The final lines of the poem emphasize the profound intensity within the horse’s gaze: "And nothing stops the stoned night / in the wilderness of its eyes." The "stoned night" implies a kind of paralyzing stillness, as if time itself is frozen within the horse’s eyes. The "wilderness of its eyes" underscores the untamed and inscrutable nature of the animal’s spirit, suggesting a vast and unknowable world that lies beyond human understanding. In "Horse In Amsterdam, After Rembrandt," Ferlinghetti draws inspiration from Rembrandt’s ability to capture the depth and mystery of his subjects. The poem uses evocative imagery to convey the horse’s powerful presence, reflecting on the silent world hidden within its gaze. By blending the primal energy of the horse with the evocative symbolism of nature, Ferlinghetti creates a vivid and mysterious portrait that pays homage to Rembrandt’s artistic vision while exploring the timeless enigma of the animal spirit.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...REMBRANDT'S ETCHING OF A WOMAN PISSING by CLARENCE MAJOR REMBRANDT TO REMBRANDT by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE LIFE OF TOWNS: TOWN OF BATHSHEBA'S CROSSING by ANNE CARSON THE PROGRESS OF ART by THOMAS HOOD ALL THOSE ATTEMPTS IN THE CHANGING ROOM! by ANNE STEVENSON LAST SELF-PORTRAIT, AS REMBRANDT, FOR INSTANCE by ELEANOR WILNER IN THE ANTWERP GALLERY by MARY ATWATER TAYLOR LIFE OF TOWNS: TOWN OF BATHSHEBA'S CROSSING by ANNE CARSON REMBRANDT - SELF PORTRAIT by GREGORY NUNZIO CORSO |
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