Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Hogan’s “Coyote” is a haunting meditation on vulnerability, survival, and the delicate interplay between life and death. Through sparse, evocative imagery, Hogan explores the coyote as a symbol of both resilience and fragility, using its presence to reflect on the interconnectedness of all living beings and the inevitability of loss. The poem’s atmosphere is one of quiet tension, where the coyote becomes a mirror for human existence—its struggles, its impermanence, and its capacity for both cunning and innocence.

The poem opens with a vivid, almost tactile image: “Steel jaws are tense to clamp shut.” This line immediately introduces the theme of danger and entrapment. The steel jaws likely refer to a trap, setting the stage for a confrontation between human intention and the natural world. The use of “tense” suggests a latent violence, a moment suspended in time just before the inevitable snap. This tension is not just physical but emotional, hinting at the broader human propensity to dominate or control nature.

As the man leaves, the focus shifts to the coyote: “the small coyote comes sniffing soft, / soft feathers from the sky go out quiet like wings.” The repetition of “soft” contrasts starkly with the earlier image of the steel trap, emphasizing the coyote’s innocence and the gentle, almost ethereal quality of its movements. The “feathers from the sky” could symbolize both literal feathers—perhaps from a bird the coyote has disturbed—and a more metaphorical suggestion of fleeting life or fragile beauty. The quiet departure of the feathers mirrors the quiet, almost unnoticed existence of the coyote itself.

Hogan then broadens the scope of the poem to encompass a universal fragility: “Such fragile things we all are, such bones, / such silk nests of hair, / fine nerves touching the smooth beads of vertebrae / that string us together.” Here, the poet draws a direct connection between the coyote and humanity, emphasizing the shared physical and emotional delicacy of all creatures. The imagery of “silk nests of hair” and “smooth beads of vertebrae” is both intimate and tender, inviting readers to consider the intricate, vulnerable structures that make up our bodies. The metaphor of vertebrae as beads suggests a sense of unity and continuity, as if each life is part of a larger, interconnected strand.

The poem returns to the coyote with a focus on its ephemeral presence: “Coyote with invisible breath / calling for snow and wind.” The notion of “invisible breath” highlights the coyote’s ghostly, almost spectral existence, as if it hovers on the edge of life and death. The coyote’s “call” for “snow and wind” suggests a yearning for the elements, perhaps a desire to merge with the natural world or to summon change. Snow and wind are forces of both beauty and harshness, reinforcing the duality of the coyote’s existence—simultaneously a part of nature’s cycle and a victim of its cruelty.

The next lines shift the perspective slightly, suggesting a transformation: “Now the evergreen is turning slowly from your eyes.” This could imply that the coyote is dying, its vision fading as the evergreen—a symbol of endurance and life—recedes. Alternatively, it may suggest a shift in perception, as if the coyote’s awareness is moving away from the physical world and into another realm. The evergreen, often associated with immortality, contrasts with the coyote’s transient existence, underscoring the tension between life’s fleeting nature and the enduring presence of the natural world.

Hogan continues with an image of sudden, unexpected movement: “Something, a bird, goes up in the air.” This brief moment of action interrupts the poem’s otherwise hushed, contemplative tone, introducing a sense of unpredictability. The bird’s flight could symbolize the soul’s departure, a fleeting glimpse of freedom, or the ever-present possibility of escape. However, the lack of detail leaves the moment ambiguous, emphasizing the uncertainty that pervades both the coyote’s life and the human condition.

The poem’s conclusion is stark and sobering: “Coyote, you weren’t much, nothing more than a shadow with eyes, / a wisp of air waiting to leave through the thin bones.” This line strips the coyote down to its most ephemeral elements, reducing it to a “shadow” and a “wisp of air.” The description evokes a sense of insignificance, as if the coyote’s life barely registers in the larger scheme of things. Yet, the tenderness in the language suggests a quiet reverence for this small, fleeting existence. The “thin bones” through which life escapes are a reminder of the delicate boundary between life and death, a threshold that all creatures inevitably cross.

The final lines broaden the poem’s focus once more, linking the coyote’s experience to a universal human truth: “All of us have stolen something in the night / the long night ending in sweat, / the blackest sweat of morning on the ground.” This closing sentiment is both confessional and accusatory, suggesting that all beings—human and animal alike—engage in acts of survival that may be seen as theft. The “long night” could symbolize a period of struggle or hardship, while “the blackest sweat of morning” evokes the physical and emotional residue of those struggles. The sweat on the ground serves as a tangible reminder of the effort and suffering that underpin existence.

Structurally, “Coyote” is a free-verse poem that relies on its imagery and cadence rather than traditional meter or rhyme. The poem’s spare, unadorned language mirrors the starkness of its subject matter, while its fluid transitions between the coyote’s experience and the broader human condition create a seamless blending of the personal and the universal. Hogan’s use of natural imagery is both specific and symbolic, grounding the poem in a physical reality while inviting deeper reflection on themes of vulnerability, survival, and the ephemeral nature of life.

Ultimately, Linda Hogan’s “Coyote” is a poignant exploration of the fragility and resilience inherent in all living things. Through the figure of the coyote—a creature often seen as both trickster and survivor—Hogan reflects on the delicate balance between life and death, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the quiet, persistent beauty that can be found even in the most fleeting moments of existence. The poem invites readers to consider their own place within this fragile web, recognizing both the shared vulnerabilities and the small, enduring acts of survival that define the human and animal experience alike.

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