'At Grass' by Philip Larkin
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The Less Deceived1950The 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 againYet 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; theyHave 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
Introduction
Philip Larkin's "At Grass" is a melancholic elegy that captures the end of a horse's career and the passage of time. The poem is written with a sense of nostalgia and loss, and is a reflection on ageing and the passing of youth. The poem is structured in three stanzas of equal length, with each stanza focusing on a different aspect of the horse's life.
Analysis
Stanza One
The first stanza of "At Grass" sets the scene by describing the setting in which the horses reside. The use of the phrase "the eye can hardly pick them out" (line 2) creates a sense of distance between the horses and the viewer. The horses are in a field, but they are not close enough to be easily seen. The use of personification in the phrase "the blades have flattened out" (line 3) suggests that the horses have been in the field for a long time, and have had an impact on the landscape.
The second half of the stanza focuses on the physical appearance of the horses. The phrase "their haunts spurned" (line 6) suggests that the horses are no longer as active as they once were, and that they have slowed down with age. The horses are also described as "mild-eyed" (line 7), which creates an image of docility and calmness. The final line of the stanza, "Struck by the sun, the angles sharp," (line 8) is an example of visual imagery that highlights the physicality of the horses, and creates a sense of contrast between the stillness of the horses and the movement of the sun.
Stanza Two
The second stanza of "At Grass" focuses on the horses' past careers. The opening line, "Only the young are whole" (line 9), creates a sense of contrast between youth and old age. The horses are no longer "whole," as they have been worn down by their work. The phrase "their beauty ended with their youth" (line 11) suggests that the horses were once beautiful and admired, but have now lost their youthful charm.
The second half of the stanza describes the horses' former lives as "gallant" (line 13) animals, who were once admired for their strength and speed. The phrase "the end of summer" (line 14) creates a sense of finality and the passage of time. The use of the word "gallant" creates a sense of nostalgia and loss, as the horses are no longer in their prime.
Stanza Three
The third and final stanza of "At Grass" focuses on the horses' current existence. The opening line, "A shape less recognizable each week" (line 15), creates a sense of decay and loss. The horses are fading away, and becoming less recognizable with each passing week. The phrase "the grass is lush and meaty" (line 16) creates a sense of abundance and growth, which creates a contrast with the horses' decline.
The second half of the stanza continues to describe the horses' decline. The phrase "his mind beyond her" (line 18) suggests that the horses are no longer interested in each other, and have become disconnected. The final line of the poem, "They have forgotten him a little" (line 20), creates a sense of loss and abandonment. The horses have forgotten the speaker, and are moving on with their lives, as the speaker lingers on in the past.
Interpretation
"At Grass" is a reflection on the passage of time, and the loss of youth and beauty. The poem is a metaphor for ageing, and the way in which humans also become less recognizable with each passing week. The horses are a symbol for the inevitability of death, and the way in which we all eventually fade away.
The poem is also a reflection on memory, and the way in which we hold onto the past. The speaker is nostalgic for the horses' past lives, and is lamenting their decline. The horses, however, have moved on, and are no longer interested in their former careers. The poem suggests that we should not hold onto the past, but instead embrace the present and live in the moment.
Conclusion
Philip Larkin's "At Grass" is a powerful elegy that captures the passage of time and the loss of youth. The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death, and the way in which we should embrace the present and live in the moment. The horses are a powerful symbol for the way in which we all eventually fade away, and the poem is a reminder to make the most of our time on earth.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry At Grass: A Masterpiece of Philip Larkin
Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of everyday life. His poem "Poetry At Grass" is a masterpiece that reflects his love for nature and his ability to find beauty in the mundane. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem "Poetry At Grass" is a short, eight-line poem that describes a scene of horses grazing in a field. The poem begins with the line "They fuck you up, your mum and dad," which is a reference to Larkin's famous poem "This Be The Verse." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the beauty of nature and the simplicity of life.
The first stanza of the poem describes the horses grazing in the field. Larkin uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the scene, describing the horses as "dark-clothed" and the grass as "bright green." The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own thoughts and feelings. The speaker reflects on the beauty of the scene and the sense of peace that it brings.
One of the themes of the poem is the beauty of nature. Larkin uses the image of the horses grazing in the field to convey a sense of peace and tranquility. The poem suggests that there is something inherently beautiful about the natural world, and that we can find solace in it. The poem also suggests that nature has a healing power, and that it can help us to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Another theme of the poem is the simplicity of life. Larkin suggests that we often complicate our lives unnecessarily, and that we can find happiness in the simple things. The poem suggests that we should take the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, and that we should not be so focused on material possessions and status.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. The poem consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza describes the scene of the horses grazing in the field, while the second stanza reflects on the speaker's own thoughts and feelings. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Larkin to experiment with the structure and rhythm of the poem.
Larkin uses a number of literary devices in the poem to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Larkin uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the scene, describing the horses as "dark-clothed" and the grass as "bright green." This imagery helps to create a sense of the beauty and tranquility of the scene.
Another literary device that Larkin uses is repetition. The phrase "they fuck you up" is repeated at the beginning of the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the theme of the poem. Larkin also uses repetition in the second stanza, repeating the phrase "and all is said" to create a sense of finality and closure.
Larkin also uses enjambment in the poem, which allows him to create a sense of flow and movement. For example, in the first stanza, the line "Dark-clothed, they climb the hill" is enjambed, which creates a sense of movement and momentum.
In conclusion, "Poetry At Grass" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that reflects Larkin's love for nature and his ability to find beauty in the mundane. The poem explores themes of the beauty of nature and the simplicity of life, and uses vivid imagery and literary devices to convey its message. The poem is a testament to Larkin's skill as a poet, and is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world.
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