'At Grass' by Philip Larkin
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The eye can hardly pick them out
From the cold shade they shelter in,
Till wind distresses tail and main;
Then one crops grass, and moves about
- The other seeming to look on -
And stands anonymous again
Yet fifteen years ago, perhaps
Two dozen distances sufficed
To fable them: faint afternoons
Of Cups and Stakes and Handicaps,
Whereby their names were artificed
To inlay faded, classic Junes -
Silks at the start: against the sky
Numbers and parasols: outside,
Squadrons of empty cars, and heat,
And littered grass : then the long cry
Hanging unhushed till it subside
To stop-press columns on the street.
Do memories plague their ears like flies?
They shake their heads. Dusk brims the shadows.
Summer by summer all stole away,
The starting-gates, the crowd and cries -
All but the unmolesting meadows.
Almanacked, their names live; they
Have slipped their names, and stand at ease,
Or gallop for what must be joy,
And not a fieldglass sees them home,
Or curious stop-watch prophesies:
Only the grooms, and the grooms boy,
With bridles in the evening come.
Editor 1 Interpretation
At Grass by Philip Larkin: A Critique
At Grass is a poem that explores the melancholic nature of life and death. It is a poem that takes a deeper look at the nature of time and how it affects our perception of things around us. Philip Larkin, as always, puts his unique perspective on things, and this poem is no different. In this critique, we will analyze the poem, its themes, and its literary elements.
Structure and Form
At Grass is a poem that has a simple structure but a deep and complex meaning. It consists of four stanzas, each with three lines. This structure emphasizes the idea of time and how it moves forward, never stopping. The first stanza describes a scene where the horses are grazing peacefully in the field. The second stanza talks about the horses' past, their racing days, and how they were once champions. The third stanza describes their present situation, where they are now in their old age and no longer racing. The final stanza talks about death, how it is inevitable, and how it will come for us all.
The form of the poem is simple, with a consistent rhyme scheme of ABCBDEDEF. This rhyme scheme helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow, which makes the poem easier to read and understand. Additionally, the use of enjambment in the poem creates a sense of continuity between the stanzas, emphasizing the idea of time and how it moves forward.
Themes
The main theme of At Grass is the inevitability of time and death. The poem explores the idea that everything has a beginning and an end, and that time is the only constant in life. The horses in the poem, who were once young and strong, are now old and retired, living out their final years in a field. The poem suggests that we are all like these horses, that we all have a past, a present, and an inevitable end.
The poem also explores the theme of memory and nostalgia. The second stanza talks about the horses' past, their glory days when they were champions. The imagery in this stanza is vivid, with descriptions of the horses' speed and power. The stanza creates a sense of nostalgia for the past, a time when the horses were young and strong. This nostalgia is contrasted with the horses' present situation, where they are old and no longer racing.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of nature and the natural cycle of life. The horses in the poem are part of nature, and their lives follow the natural cycle of birth, growth, and death. The poem suggests that we are all part of nature and that our lives are subject to the same natural cycle.
Literary Elements
The use of imagery is one of the most prominent literary elements in At Grass. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the horses and their surroundings. In the first stanza, the horses are described as "munched, / Moved and cropped the grass, / A sunlit Saturday" (lines 1-3). This description creates a peaceful and idyllic scene, with the horses grazing in the field on a sunny day.
In the second stanza, the horses' past is described in vivid detail. The horses are described as "Champions, in tearless / Flannels, stillness falls" (lines 4-5). This description creates a sense of nostalgia for the past, a time when the horses were young and strong. The use of the word "champions" emphasizes the horses' past glory and creates a sense of reverence for their achievements.
The use of repetition is another literary element in the poem. The phrase "at grass" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the horses' present situation and their retirement from racing. The repetition of this phrase creates a sense of finality, emphasizing the idea that the horses' racing days are over.
Finally, the use of enjambment is an important literary element in the poem. The enjambment between stanzas creates a sense of continuity, emphasizing the idea of time moving forward. The enjambment also creates a sense of connectedness between the stanzas, emphasizing the idea that the horses' past, present, and future are all connected and linked by time.
Conclusion
At Grass is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the nature of time and our relationship with it. The poem suggests that time is the only constant in life and that we are all subject to its inevitability. The use of vivid imagery, repetition, and enjambment creates a sense of continuity and connectedness throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea of time moving forward. At Grass is a powerful reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment we have.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
At Grass: A Masterpiece of Poetic Realism
Philip Larkin's poem "At Grass" is a masterpiece of poetic realism that captures the essence of aging and the passage of time. The poem is a reflection on the lives of retired racehorses, who are now living out their days in a field, grazing and dozing in the sun. Larkin's poem is a meditation on the beauty of these animals, as well as the inevitability of their decline and eventual death.
The poem begins with a description of the horses in the field, "like old soldiers" who have "seen it all before." The horses are described as "grazing and dozing" in the sun, their "eyes half-shut" and their "tails flicking flies." The image is one of peaceful contentment, but also of resignation and acceptance. The horses have lived their lives, and now they are simply waiting for the end.
Larkin's language is simple and direct, but also rich in imagery and metaphor. He describes the horses as "tough and wiry," with "long backs" and "deep chests." He also notes their "shaggy ears" and "tangled manes," which suggest a wildness and freedom that is now lost to them. The horses are no longer racing, no longer competing, no longer striving for greatness. They are simply existing, and Larkin captures this sense of quiet resignation perfectly.
The poem's central metaphor is that of the "unripe apple," which represents the horses' unrealized potential. Larkin writes that the horses "never had the chance to be anything else," and that they are "unripe apples" that have fallen from the tree before they could fully mature. This metaphor is both poignant and powerful, as it suggests that the horses' lives were cut short, and that they were never able to achieve their full potential.
Larkin's poem is also a meditation on the passage of time, and the inevitability of aging and death. He writes that the horses are "past their best," and that they are "fading into the light." The image is one of gradual decline, of a slow and steady fading away. The horses are no longer young and vibrant, but are instead old and tired, their bodies worn down by years of racing and competition.
Despite the sadness of the poem, there is also a sense of beauty and grace in Larkin's words. He describes the horses as "majestic," and notes their "muscles rippling" as they move through the field. He also notes their "soft noses" and "velvet muzzles," which suggest a gentleness and kindness that is often overlooked in these powerful animals.
In conclusion, Philip Larkin's poem "At Grass" is a masterpiece of poetic realism that captures the essence of aging and the passage of time. The poem is a meditation on the beauty of retired racehorses, as well as the inevitability of their decline and eventual death. Larkin's language is simple and direct, but also rich in imagery and metaphor, and his central metaphor of the "unripe apple" is both poignant and powerful. Despite the sadness of the poem, there is also a sense of beauty and grace in Larkin's words, and his description of the horses as "majestic" and "gentle" is a testament to the power and beauty of these magnificent animals.
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