Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"I Once Knew a Man Who Had Wild Horses Killed" by Lucille Clifton is a haunting and vivid narrative poem that explores the consequences of violence against nature and the indelible mark it leaves on the perpetrator. Through the metaphor of wild horses, Clifton delves into themes of guilt, remorse, and the inescapable nature of one's actions. The poem paints a vivid portrait of a man haunted by his past deeds, suggesting a broader commentary on human cruelty and its reverberating effects on the soul and society.

The opening line immediately sets the tone for the poem, "i once knew a man who had wild horses killed." The straightforward statement hints at a dark story to follow, invoking a sense of loss and senseless destruction. Wild horses, symbols of freedom and untamed beauty, become the victims of senseless violence, suggesting a broader critique of humanity's often destructive relationship with the natural world.

Clifton describes how, when the man speaks of his actions, "the words came galloping out of his mouth / and shook themselves and headed off in / every damn direction." This imagery not only reflects the chaotic and uncontrollable nature of the man's speech but also mirrors the wildness of the horses he destroyed. The words themselves become stand-ins for the horses, untamed and scattering, hinting at the man's internal turmoil and the chaotic impact of his actions on his psyche.

The poem further explores the physical and psychological consequences of the man's actions on those around him. Clifton writes, "his tongue / was wild and wide and spinning when he talked / and the people he looked at closed their eyes / and tore the skins off their backs as they walked away / and stopped eating meat." The reaction of the listeners, turning away in horror and rejecting violence by refusing meat, underscores the profound moral and emotional disturbance caused by the man's story. The visceral imagery of tearing skins off their backs suggests a deep, almost primal revulsion, highlighting the natural human aversion to cruelty.

Clifton concludes with a powerful statement about the man's fate, "he had had wild horses killed one time and / they rode him to his grave." This final line suggests that the act of violence against the wild horses ultimately leads to the man's own destruction. The horses, in a poetic twist of justice, become the agents of his downfall, haunting him until his death. The imagery of the horses "riding" the man to his grave encapsulates the poem's central theme: the inescapable consequences of one's actions, particularly those of cruelty and violence.

"I Once Knew a Man Who Had Wild Horses Killed" is a profound meditation on the costs of violence, not just to the victims but to the perpetrator's soul and to society at large. Lucille Clifton's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a powerful narrative that lingers with the reader, prompting reflection on the cycles of violence and the possibility of redemption. Through this poem, Clifton invites readers to consider the deeper implications of our actions and the ways in which violence against nature reflects our own inner turmoil and capacity for cruelty.

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