Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Pictures of the Gone World: 17," Lawrence Ferlinghetti paints a hauntingly vivid scene using a simple yet evocative image of a horse at night. The poem is brief, yet it explores themes of loneliness, longing, and melancholy through rich metaphor and imagery.

The poem begins with a single word: "Terrible." This immediately sets a tone of foreboding and unease, preparing the reader for an unsettling scene. Ferlinghetti then introduces the main subject of the poem: "a horse at night / standing hitched alone." The image of the horse, alone and tethered in the dark, evokes a strong sense of isolation and vulnerability.

The following lines deepen the emotional tone of the poem: "had gripped hot legs on him / in the still street." Here, Ferlinghetti uses tactile imagery to suggest that the horse bears the memory of being ridden, perhaps recently or frequently. The phrase "hot legs on him" conveys the lingering warmth of a rider who is no longer there, leaving the horse in solitude.

The horse's "whinnying" introduces an auditory element, suggesting a plaintive and lonely sound that breaks the silence of the "still street." Ferlinghetti adds a layer of metaphor by describing the horse's cry as if "some sad nude astride him," suggesting that the horse's whinny embodies a human-like sadness and longing. The image of a "sad nude" implies vulnerability and desire, emphasizing the emotional intensity of the scene.

The poem concludes with the horse's whinny described as "a sweet high hungry / single syllable." This final image is both poignant and revealing. The "sweet high hungry" sound captures a mix of longing, desire, and need, while "single syllable" implies simplicity and directness. This cry encapsulates the horse's loneliness and the universal yearning for companionship and understanding.

Structurally, the poem is composed of brief, enjambed lines that create a rhythm reflecting the horse's solitary cries. The sparse language and short lines emphasize the starkness of the scene, leaving space for the reader to imagine the horse's emotions.

Overall, "Pictures of the Gone World: 17" is a powerful exploration of loneliness and longing. Ferlinghetti uses the image of a solitary horse to convey a deeply human sense of isolation, blending visual, auditory, and tactile imagery to create a poignant and evocative snapshot of vulnerability in the stillness of night.

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