Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "She Had Some Horses," Joy Harjo crafts a rich and intricate tapestry of imagery and metaphor to explore the multifaceted nature of identity, experience, and emotion. The poem’s structure, with its repeated refrain and vivid, varied descriptions of horses, allows Harjo to delve deeply into the complexities and contradictions inherent in human life.

The poem begins with a simple yet profound statement: "She had some horses." This opening line sets the stage for a series of vivid images that describe the horses in ways that transcend their physical form, suggesting they are metaphors for different aspects of the self or human experience. Each description builds upon the previous one, creating a layered understanding of the horses and, by extension, the person they belong to.

"She had horses who were bodies of sand. / She had horses who were maps drawn of blood." These lines introduce the idea that the horses represent both the ephemeral and the vital, the transient nature of life and the deep connections that define it. Sand, easily scattered by the wind, contrasts with blood, which symbolizes life and lineage. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between fragility and permanence.

The descriptions continue to mix the elements and physicality: "She had horses who were skins of ocean water. / She had horses who were the blue air of sky." These lines evoke the fluidity and boundlessness of existence, suggesting a sense of freedom and expansiveness. Water and air are essential to life, yet they are also elusive and uncontrollable, reflecting the complexity of emotions and experiences.

Harjo's imagery often combines the natural world with human attributes: "She had horses with long, pointed breasts. / She had horses with full, brown thighs." This fusion blurs the lines between human and animal, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and the shared experiences of physicality and sensuality.

The poem moves through various emotional and psychological states, depicting horses that laugh, cry, dance, and rage: "She had horses who laughed too much. / She had horses who threw rocks at glass houses." These behaviors reflect the wide range of human emotions and actions, from joy to destructiveness. The horses become stand-ins for different facets of the human psyche, illustrating how complex and contradictory our inner lives can be.

In exploring themes of identity and self-perception, Harjo writes: "She had horses who called themselves, 'horse.' / She had horses who called themselves, 'spirit.'" This line suggests a duality in how we understand ourselves—through our physical existence and through our spiritual essence. Some horses, and by extension some parts of ourselves, embrace their identity openly, while others keep their true nature hidden.

The poem also addresses themes of vulnerability and resilience: "She had horses who whispered in the dark, who were afraid to speak. / She had horses who screamed out of fear of the silence, who carried knives to protect themselves from ghosts." These lines capture the fear and bravery that coexist within us, the ways we respond to internal and external threats, and the measures we take to protect ourselves.

The repetition of "She had some horses" throughout the poem acts as a grounding refrain, reminding readers of the central motif while allowing Harjo to explore a wide range of experiences and emotions. This refrain also creates a rhythmic structure that mirrors the cyclical nature of life and the ongoing process of self-discovery and growth.

The poem’s concluding lines are particularly powerful: "She had some horses she loved. / She had some horses she hated. / These were the same horses." This revelation encapsulates the central theme of the poem—the inherent contradictions within us. The horses, representing different parts of the self or different experiences, evoke both love and hate, joy and pain. This duality is an essential part of the human condition, reflecting the complexity and interconnectedness of our emotions and identities.

"She Had Some Horses" by Joy Harjo is a masterful exploration of identity, emotion, and the human experience. Through rich imagery and a carefully structured narrative, Harjo captures the multifaceted nature of life, inviting readers to reflect on their own complexities and contradictions. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ongoing journey of self-discovery.

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