Nature is a common theme in poetry. For some reason, it has been inspiring human art since the beginning of time; and evidently it continues to do so. However, when I read “A Blessing”, it didn’t feel like the typical ode to animals—it had something more. The first time I read this poem, what stood out to me the most was the tenderness and affection that Wright manages to transmit. Wright does so much more than merely describe the ponies—he tries to express the strong connection he feels as soon as he finds them grazing on the pasture. I personally think that this sudden connection that Wright describes is something characteristic of our humanity. Sometimes, for reasons we cannot understand, we are drawn to a certain animal (be it a dog, a cat, a horse, etc.) and feel a special kind of tenderness and warmth. We sense the vulnerability of the creature, and feel a certain responsibility to take care of it. In my opinion, these are the feelings Wright tries to convey with his poem.
I think that Wright successfully uses imagery to show the ponies’ innocence and vulnerability, two of the main characteristics of animals that charm humans. In the eighth line, Wright explicitly says that both ponies are grazing alone on the pasture, and in the twelfth line, he writes, “There is no loneliness like theirs”. According to my interpretation, Wright probably stresses this point to underscore the animals’ vulnerability and therefore justify his approach towards them. Furthermore, the ponies’ dark, kind eyes and their happiness show their innocence, something humans have always been drawn to in animals.
I think that Wright successfully uses imagery to show the ponies’ innocence and vulnerability, two of the main characteristics of animals that charm humans. In the eighth line, Wright explicitly says that both ponies are grazing alone on the pasture, and in the twelfth line, he writes, “There is no loneliness like theirs”. According to my interpretation, Wright probably stresses this point to underscore the animals’ vulnerability and therefore justify his approach towards them. Furthermore, the ponies’ dark, kind eyes and their happiness show their innocence, something humans have always been drawn to in animals.
