Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Heat," Jane Hirshfield presents a vivid tableau of animal and human longing, juxtaposing the mare's physical yearning with the emotional and psychological complexities of human desire. The poem is not merely about a mare in heat; it is an allegory that engages with themes of urgency, restraint, and the complexities of freedom and yearning.

The poem begins with the image of the mare pacing restlessly, "wearing the impatience / in her feet into the ground." This creates an immediate sense of urgency and frustration. The mare's actions serve as a straightforward, almost elemental, expression of desire. The mare, devoid of societal constraints, experiences her longing in a raw, unfettered form, sifting "the wind for news" through widened nostrils.

The narrator, who identifies with the mare's "wide lust," is both observer and observed. There is a clear admission that the narrator recognizes her feelings in the restlessness of the mare. This is a potent moment as it elevates the poem from mere observation to self-reflection. The narrator is a stand-in for humanity, with our more complex, often self-imposed barriers to fulfilling our desires. She admits that the mare's passionate yearning resonates with her, but she can only offer "a minute's distraction from passion."

The mare's desire is contrasted with human forms of desire that are often mediated by social, emotional, or practical considerations. While the mare desires freedom to fulfill her natural instincts, humans grapple with various forms of desire-whether emotional, physical, or psychological-that are frequently at odds with practical realities or social norms.

The use of the phrase "so hoping I might see, might let her free" encapsulates the idea that both the mare and the human are confined, albeit in different ways. The mare by the fence and the narrator by her inability to act upon what she recognizes as a shared sense of need. There is a shared language of longing and anticipation.

Another poignant part of the poem is the ending, which plays with the idea of power dynamics and agency. The narrator, "who had the power of bucket / and bridle," has the tools to address her desire but remains inactive. The mare, in contrast, is full of activity but has no agency to fulfill her need. The final lines, "as life is short. / But desire, desire is long," serve as a conclusion not just to the poem but as an observation on the human condition. The dichotomy between the brevity of life and the length of desire encapsulates the enduring tension between wanting and having, freedom and restraint.

In sum, "Heat" is a richly layered poem that uses the simplicity of a mare's physical yearning as a lens to explore the complex tapestry of human desire. The poem grapples with themes of urgency, freedom, and the complexities that come with agency and self-awareness, delivering a narrative that is as emotionally complex as it is deceptively straightforward.

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