Welcome, poetry enthusiasts, to a captivating journey into the heart of Andrew Forster’s evocative poem, “Horse Whisperer.” This piece invites us to explore a world where ancient skills meet the relentless march of progress, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and enduring pride. Prepare to uncover the layers of meaning, the masterful use of language, and the timeless themes woven into this remarkable work.
Horse Whisperer
By Andrew Forster
They shouted for me
when their horses snorted, when restless
hooves traced circles in the earth
and shimmering muscles refused the plough.
My secret was a spongy tissue, pulled bloody
from the mouth of a just-born foal,
scented with rosemary, cinnamon,
a charm to draw the tender giants
to my hands.
They shouted for me
when their horses reared at burning straw
and eyes revolved in stately heads.
I would pull a frog’s wishbone,
tainted by meat, from a pouch,
a new fear to fight the fear of fire,
so I could lead the horses,
like helpless children, to safety.
I swore I would protect this legacy of whispers,
but the tractor came over the fields like a warning.
I was the life-blood no longer.
From pulpits, I was scorned as a demon and witch.
Pitchforks drove me from villages and farms.
My gifts were the tools of revenge.
A foul hex above a stable door so a trusted stallion could no longer be ridden.
Then I joined the stampede, with others of my kind, to countries far from our trade.
Still I miss them. Shire, Clydesdale, Suffolk.
The searing breath, glistening veins,
steady tread and the pride,
most of all the pride.
Unveiling “Horse Whisperer”: A Journey Through Change
Andrew Forster’s “Horse Whisperer” is a compelling narrative poem that transports readers to a bygone era, exploring the profound impact of modernization on traditional ways of life. First published in his 2007 collection, Fear of Thunder, the poem draws inspiration from the fascinating techniques of traditional horse tamers, a subject Forster encountered in his reading of Strange Phenomena. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its poignant reflection on the human cost of progress and the deep, often spiritual, connection between humans and animals.
The Essence of the Poem
The poem introduces a speaker who possesses an extraordinary gift for calming and controlling horses. This individual, the titular horse whisperer, recalls a time when their unique skills were indispensable. Farmers would call upon the whisperer when their powerful horses, essential for agricultural labor, became unruly or frightened. The whisperer employed ancient, almost mystical, remedies and charms, such as a “spongy tissue, pulled bloody
from the mouth of a just-born foal,” or a “frog’s wishbone,” to establish trust and overcome the animals’ fears. The speaker’s role was one of protector and guide, leading the horses “like helpless children, to safety.”
However, the poem charts a dramatic shift. The arrival of the “tractor” signals the end of an era. This new technology renders the whisperer’s skills obsolete, transforming a once-valued profession into something scorned and feared. The whisperer is cast out, labeled a “demon and witch,” and driven from communities. The very gifts once used for good are then twisted into “tools of revenge,” hinting at the bitterness and desperation of displacement. The poem concludes with the whisperer’s profound lament, a nostalgic elegy for the magnificent horses and the deep connection that has been irrevocably lost.
Core Themes Explored
“Horse Whisperer” is rich with thematic depth, inviting contemplation on several significant ideas:
- Modernization Versus Tradition: The central conflict of the poem revolves around the inevitable clash between advancing technology, represented by the tractor, and the ancient, intuitive skills of the horse whisperer. It highlights how progress, while offering efficiency, often displaces valuable traditions and knowledge.
- The Human-Animal Connection: The poem beautifully portrays the deep, almost mystical bond between the whisperer and the horses. This connection is built on understanding, trust, and a shared history of labor and companionship, emphasizing the emotional and spiritual aspects of this relationship.
- Loss and Nostalgia: A pervasive sense of loss permeates the poem, particularly in its concluding lines. The speaker mourns not just a lost profession, but a lost way of life, a lost identity, and the absence of the majestic animals that once defined their existence. This evokes a powerful feeling of nostalgia for a disappearing world.
- The Shifting Value of Skill and Knowledge: The poem illustrates how societal values can change, rendering once-revered skills irrelevant or even suspicious. The whisperer’s gifts, initially celebrated, become feared and condemned, underscoring the precarious nature of specialized knowledge in a rapidly evolving world.
- Nature Versus Technology: The poem subtly explores the tension between the natural world, embodied by the horses and the whisperer’s organic remedies, and the mechanical world of the tractor. It questions whether technological advancement always represents true progress, especially when it severs deep-rooted connections to nature.
A Deep Dive into the Poetic Craft of “Horse Whisperer”
Andrew Forster masterfully employs a range of literary and poetic devices to craft “Horse Whisperer,” enriching its narrative and deepening its emotional resonance. An exploration of these techniques reveals the poem’s intricate artistry.
The Speaker’s Voice and Perspective
The poem is delivered through a powerful first-person retrospective narration, allowing the reader direct access to the horse whisperer’s memories and emotions. The use of “I” and “My” creates an intimate and personal account, fostering empathy for the speaker’s journey. The voice evolves throughout the poem, beginning with a tone of confident expertise, shifting to a sense of bewilderment and bitterness at being ostracized, and finally settling into a profound, wistful longing for the past. This personal perspective is crucial for conveying the poem’s themes of loss and identity.
Literary Devices Illuminating the Narrative
Forster’s careful selection and deployment of literary devices bring the world of the horse whisperer vividly to life.
- Imagery: The poem is rich with vivid sensory details that appeal to sight, sound, and touch, creating a strong sense of place and atmosphere. Examples include:
“shimmering muscles refused the plough.”
This line evokes a clear visual of the horses’ powerful physique and their resistance. Later, the description of the horses’ fear is palpable:
“horses reared at burning straw
and eyes revolved in stately heads.”The “burning straw” creates a vivid, dangerous scene, while “eyes revolved” suggests intense fear. The concluding stanza offers a deeply nostalgic and sensory image of the horses themselves:
“The searing breath, glistening veins,
steady tread and the pride.”Here, “searing breath” appeals to touch and sound, “glistening veins” to sight, and “steady tread” to sound and feeling, collectively painting a picture of the horses’ magnificent presence.
- Simile: Forster uses simile to draw clear and impactful comparisons, enhancing understanding and emotional connection. A notable example is found when the whisperer describes leading the frightened animals:
“so I could lead the horses,
like helpless children, to safety.”This comparison highlights the horses’ vulnerability and the whisperer’s protective, almost parental, role, deepening the bond portrayed between them.
- Metaphor: While not always explicit, metaphorical language adds layers of meaning. The whisperer’s role is metaphorically described as essential to the community’s function:
“I was the life-blood no longer.”
This suggests that the whisperer was once vital, indispensable, and fundamental to the agricultural way of life, much like blood is to a living organism.
- Symbolism: Objects and concepts within the poem carry deeper symbolic weight, enriching its thematic exploration.
- The “tractor” powerfully symbolizes modernization, technological advancement, and the unstoppable force of industrialization that displaces traditional skills and ways of life. It is presented as a harbinger of change:
“but the tractor came over the fields like a warning.”
- The “fields” themselves symbolize the land, tradition, and the natural world that is being transformed by progress.
- The whisperer’s “secret” remedies, like the “spongy tissue” and “frog’s wishbone,” symbolize ancient, intuitive, and perhaps superstitious knowledge that stands in stark contrast to scientific or mechanical approaches.
- The “pitchforks” symbolize the mob mentality, fear, and violent rejection faced by those who are deemed different or obsolete.
- The “tractor” powerfully symbolizes modernization, technological advancement, and the unstoppable force of industrialization that displaces traditional skills and ways of life. It is presented as a harbinger of change:
- Irony: A striking example of situational irony occurs when the whisperer’s once-benevolent skills are perverted:
“My gifts were the tools of revenge.”
Initially, the whisperer’s abilities are used to calm and protect. The irony lies in the tragic reversal, where these same unique talents are later employed for destructive purposes, born out of bitterness and displacement.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds adds a subtle musicality and emphasis to certain phrases. Consider the description of the horses’ movement:
“steady tread.”
The repeated “t” sound mimics the rhythmic, powerful movement of the horses’ hooves, enhancing the imagery.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words creates a sense of cohesion and sonic texture. In the description of the whisperer’s charm:
“scented with rosemary, cinnamon.”
The repeated “m” and “n” sounds create a soft, almost mystical quality, aligning with the nature of the charm.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words in close proximity contributes to the poem’s musicality and can highlight specific emotions. In the lines describing the horses’ agitation:
“when their horses snorted, when restless
hooves traced circles in the earth.”The repeated short “e” sound in “when” and “restless” creates a subtle sense of unease and tension, mirroring the horses’ agitated state.
- Juxtaposition and Contrast: The poem is built upon stark contrasts, particularly between the old and the new, trust and fear, and acceptance and rejection. The whisperer’s initial respected status is juxtaposed with their later scorned identity, and the organic methods of horse taming are contrasted with the mechanical efficiency of the tractor. This highlights the profound changes and conflicts at the heart of the narrative.
- Diction: Forster’s word choice is precise and evocative, contributing significantly to the poem’s tone and imagery. Words like “snorted,” “reared,” and “stampede” convey the raw power and instinct of the horses. Terms such as “spongy tissue,” “bloody,” “tainted,” and “hex” create an aura of ancient, almost superstitious practice. The use of “scorned,” “demon,” and “witch” reveals the harsh judgment faced by the whisperer, while “searing breath” and “glistening veins” convey a deep reverence for the animals. This careful diction immerses the reader in the whisperer’s world and emotional state.
Poetic Structure and Form
The structural elements of “Horse Whisperer” also contribute to its overall impact.
- Narrative Poem: The poem tells a complete story, recounting the experiences and reflections of the horse whisperer from a specific point in time. This narrative structure allows Forster to explore themes of change, loss, and identity in a compelling and engaging manner, drawing the reader into the speaker’s personal history.
- Free Verse: “Horse Whisperer” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This choice allows for a natural, conversational flow, mirroring the speaker’s retrospective storytelling. The absence of rigid structure gives the poem a sense of authenticity and directness, making the whisperer’s voice feel more immediate and personal.
- Stanza Structure: The poem is organized into five stanzas of varying lengths. This irregular structure reflects the ebb and flow of memory and emotion, rather than a rigid, predetermined form. The shifts in stanza length can emphasize certain moments or transitions in the narrative, contributing to the overall rhythm and pacing of the poem. For example, the longer initial stanzas establish the whisperer’s past, while the shorter concluding stanza focuses intensely on the lingering sense of loss.
- Enjambment: Forster frequently uses enjambment, where lines run on without a pause into the next, creating a sense of continuity, urgency, or natural speech. For instance:
“when restless
hooves traced circles in the earth.”This technique prevents the poem from feeling choppy and allows ideas to flow seamlessly, mirroring the continuous stream of the speaker’s thoughts and recollections.
- Rhythm: Despite being free verse, the poem possesses a natural, almost elegiac rhythm, guided by the speaker’s voice and the emotional weight of the narrative. The rhythm slows in moments of reflection and builds in intensity during descriptions of the horses’ power or the whisperer’s despair, drawing the reader deeper into the poem’s emotional landscape.
The Poem’s Evocative Tone
The tone of “Horse Whisperer” is complex and deeply moving, shifting throughout the narrative. It begins with a tone of quiet confidence and pride in the whisperer’s unique abilities. As the poem progresses, a sense of foreboding emerges with the arrival of the tractor, leading to bitterness and resentment as the whisperer is “scorned as a demon and witch.” Ultimately, the prevailing tone is one of profound nostalgia, regret, and a quiet dignity in the face of irreversible change. The concluding lines encapsulate this wistful longing, imbued with a deep reverence for the past and the magnificent animals.
The Enduring Legacy of “Horse Whisperer”
Andrew Forster’s “Horse Whisperer” stands as a powerful testament to the beauty and tragedy of change. It is a poem that resonates deeply, prompting reflection on the value of traditional skills, the profound connection between humans and the natural world, and the often-unseen costs of progress. The speaker’s journey, from revered practitioner to outcast, and finally to a figure of poignant remembrance, offers a universal narrative about adaptation, loss, and the enduring power of memory.
The poem’s final stanza, in particular, encapsulates its central message, leaving a lasting impression of the whisperer’s deep affection and respect for the horses:
Still I miss them. Shire, Clydesdale, Suffolk.
The searing breath, glistening veins,
steady tread and the pride,
most of all the pride.
These lines are not merely a list of physical attributes, but a heartfelt elegy for the spirit and majesty of these animals, and for the pride derived from a life dedicated to understanding and working alongside them. “Horse Whisperer” remains a compelling and shareable piece, inviting readers to ponder the delicate balance between innovation and tradition, and to appreciate the profound connections that shape our lives.