Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's "Bestiary U.S.A.: Horse" vividly captures the majestic and almost mythical qualities of the horse, juxtaposing them with the speaker's feelings of vulnerability and awe. The poem is a meditation on the power, grace, and mysterious essence of the horse, as well as the deep connection that can form between humans and animals.

The poem opens with a series of striking and dynamic images: "Horse, you flame thrower, / you shark-mouthed man, / you laughter at the end of poems." These lines immediately establish the horse as a powerful, almost supernatural being. The metaphor of the horse as a "flame thrower" suggests not just physical power but a kind of fiery, uncontrollable energy. The "shark-mouthed man" evokes the idea of danger and predatory strength, while "laughter at the end of poems" introduces a more playful, yet still potent, element to the horse’s character. These metaphors elevate the horse beyond a mere animal, casting it as a symbol of both physical and spiritual power.

The speaker then compares the horse to a "brown furry locomotive / whipping the snow," an image that emphasizes the horse's speed and power. The locomotive, a symbol of industrial strength, is here transformed into something organic and alive, a creature of fur and muscle that commands the landscape. Yet, despite this power, the speaker describes herself as "a pale shadow beside you," underscoring her sense of insignificance in comparison to the horse's grandeur.

The poem further explores this dynamic of power and vulnerability through the horse's physical attributes: "Your nostrils open like field glasses / and can smell all my fear." The horse's acute sense of smell is portrayed almost as a form of supernatural perception, able to detect the speaker's deepest emotions. The comparison of the speaker to "a silver spoon" against the horse's "four-footed wing" reinforces the idea of the horse as a creature of flight and freedom, while the speaker feels small and constrained in comparison.

Despite these overwhelming qualities, the horse is also shown as a nurturing figure: "If I am thirsty you feed me / through an eyedropper, for you are a / gallon drum." This nurturing aspect of the horse contrasts with its earlier depiction as a powerful and somewhat fearsome being, suggesting a dual nature—both protector and force of nature. The speaker feels like "a little girl with a papa / who is screaming," a simile that conveys both the awe and the fear inspired by the horse’s presence, as well as a sense of being cared for in the face of that power.

The tone of the poem shifts in the latter half as the horse is depicted in more pastoral and gentle terms: "field horse lapping the grass / like stars and then your droppings, / sweet melons, all brown and / good for gardens and carrots." Here, the horse is no longer a menacing force but a peaceful, even nurturing, presence in the natural world. The imagery of the horse’s droppings being "good for gardens and carrots" grounds the animal in the cycle of life and fertility, emphasizing its role as a benefactor in the natural world.

The poem concludes with a tender image: "Your soft nose would nuzzle me / and my fear would go out singing / into its own body." The nuzzling of the horse, a gesture of affection and trust, has a transformative effect on the speaker. The fear that once dominated her now "go[es] out singing," suggesting a reconciliation between the speaker and the powerful force that the horse represents. The fear doesn’t disappear but is instead integrated into the speaker’s body, becoming something harmonious and less threatening.

In "Bestiary U.S.A.: Horse," Sexton uses the horse as a symbol of the sublime—a creature that embodies both terror and beauty, power and gentleness. The poem reflects on the complex relationship between humans and animals, where fear and admiration coexist, and where the natural world, in all its strength and mystery, offers both challenges and comforts. Through her vivid imagery and introspective tone, Sexton captures the essence of the horse as a majestic, almost mythical figure, capable of evoking deep emotions and transforming the human experience.

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