Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "Flying Red Horse" is a poem that juxtaposes the mundane with the mythical, highlighting the tension between commercialism and poetry, superficial answers and deeper truths. Through the use of a familiar commercial symbol—the flying red horse of a gasoline company—Rukeyser explores themes of meaning, perception, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The poem opens with a scene of curiosity and questioning: "On all the streetcorners the children are standing, / They ask What can it mean?" This image of children standing on street corners evokes a sense of innocence and wonder, as they seek to understand the significance of the flying red horse they see. The grownups' response is practical and dismissive: "A flying red horse / Signifies gasoline." This answer reflects a limited, commercial view that strips the symbol of any deeper meaning.

Rukeyser contrasts this mundane interpretation with a more profound possibility: "The man at the Planetarium, / Pointing beyond the sky, / Is not going to say that Pegasus / Means poetry." Here, the planetarium, a place associated with science and exploration, represents a space where one might expect to find greater truths. However, the man in this role does not link the flying horse to Pegasus, the mythical winged horse associated with poetry and inspiration. This omission underscores a societal tendency to overlook or suppress the poetic and imaginative aspects of life.

The poem then shifts to a more somber tone: "Some of our people feel like death, / And some feel rather worse." This line reflects the despair and disillusionment felt by many, suggesting that the current state of society is dire. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope and resistance: "His energy, in this night of lies, / Flies right against the curse." The flying red horse, initially dismissed as a mere advertisement, becomes a symbol of defiance and vitality in a time characterized by deceit and hardship.

Rukeyser returns to the recurring questions about the red horse: "What’s red? What is the flying horse? / They swear they do not know," highlighting the pervasive confusion and lack of understanding among the people. Despite this, the image of the glowing street corners each night suggests that the symbol of the flying red horse persists, casting its light and refusing to be ignored.

The poem's conclusion broadens the scope to include the centers of power: "Even the Pentagon, even the senators, / Even the President sitting on his arse— / Never mind—over all cities / The flying red horse." By mentioning these institutions, Rukeyser points to the pervasive influence and presence of the flying red horse, which transcends the ordinary and the political. It serves as a reminder of the enduring power of symbols and the potential for poetry and imagination to challenge and uplift.

In "Flying Red Horse," Rukeyser masterfully uses a commercial icon to explore deeper themes of meaning and resistance. The poem's structure, with its juxtaposition of the mundane and the mythical, invites readers to look beyond surface interpretations and consider the broader implications of the symbols that permeate our lives. Through the enduring image of the flying red horse, Rukeyser reminds us of the power of imagination and the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and defiance in the face of a world that often seeks to diminish these qualities.

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