Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Durrell's poem "High Sierra" is a lyrical meditation on the natural world, specifically the majestic and untamed landscape of the Sierra mountain range. The poem explores themes of movement, power, and the inevitable passage of time, all encapsulated within the image of horses galloping through the sierras. Durrell's use of vivid imagery and rhythmic language creates a dynamic and almost cinematic portrayal of the landscape, while also hinting at deeper existential concerns.

The poem opens with a description of the horses, whose "grass they cropped converting into speed / Made green the concert of their hooves." This line immediately establishes a connection between the natural world and the animals that inhabit it. The act of grazing, a seemingly peaceful and mundane activity, is transformed into the powerful force of speed, which in turn animates the landscape. The phrase "green the concert of their hooves" suggests that the horses' movement is not just physical but also musical, a harmonious part of the natural order. The grass they consume becomes the energy that drives their motion, linking them directly to the land they traverse.

Durrell then describes the horses moving "Over the long serene sierras turning / In the axle of the sun's eye." Here, the sierras are personified, turning slowly under the watchful gaze of the sun, which acts as a central point or "axle" around which the entire scene revolves. The serenity of the sierras contrasts with the powerful, almost frenetic energy of the horses, creating a sense of balance between the landscape and the creatures that inhabit it.

The description of the horses' legs as "delicate as spiders', picking out / Pathways for shadows mounted on them" adds a layer of complexity to the imagery. The comparison to spider legs emphasizes the precision and lightness with which the horses navigate the rugged terrain. They are not just charging through the landscape but carefully selecting their path, with their movements casting shadows that seem to ride along with them. This delicate imagery contrasts with the raw power of the horses, highlighting the duality of strength and fragility that defines their existence.

The names of the horses—"Enigma, Fosforos, and Indigo"—introduce an element of mysticism or symbolism. These names evoke mystery (Enigma), light (Fosforos, which refers to phosphorus, a substance that glows), and depth (Indigo, a deep, dark color). The horses are not just physical beings but also symbols of broader, more abstract concepts. Their movement through the landscape is described as "rumbling / Through the pursuing quarries like a wind," suggesting an unstoppable, elemental force that drives them forward.

As the poem progresses, Durrell shifts from the active motion of the horses to a more reflective tone, focusing on the inevitability of decline and rest. The paths they follow eventually "fall, and we all of us / Go down with the sun, sierra by sierra," indicating the passage of time and the setting of the sun as a metaphor for the end of life or the conclusion of a journey. The image of "rising in the stirrups, then abandoned" suggests a momentary triumph or elevation before the inevitable descent into darkness.

The final lines of the poem depict the horses as they descend into the valleys, where "the black valleys from their shoes / Subtract sparks upon flints." The sparks generated by their hooves striking the flinty ground symbolize the last remnants of energy and life as they make their way into the shadows. The "long / Quivering swish of tails on flesh" conveys a sense of weariness and the attempt to find comfort or rest. The repetition of "Try to say 'sleep', try to say 'food' and 'home'" emphasizes the basic, primal needs that drive all creatures, even in the face of exhaustion and the end of the day.

In "High Sierra," Durrell masterfully captures the dynamic interplay between the powerful forces of nature and the delicate balance of life. The horses, as they move through the sierras, embody both the vitality and the vulnerability of existence. The poem’s imagery and rhythm convey a sense of both the grandeur of the natural world and the inevitable decline that comes with the passage of time. Ultimately, the poem reflects on the cycles of life, movement, and rest, as the horses journey through the landscape, seeking sustenance and solace in a world that is at once beautiful and unforgiving.

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