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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

BLACK MARE, by                 Poet's Biography


"Black Mare" by Lynda Hull is a profound meditation on loss, memory, and the impermanence of relationships set against the backdrop of urban decay and personal despair. The poem weaves together images of a past relationship, marked by addiction, transient lifestyles, and the search for warmth and connection in a cold, indifferent world. Hull's masterful use of imagery and metaphor draws the reader into a narrative that is both specific in its details and universal in its exploration of human longing and the inevitability of change.

The poem opens with the speaker reflecting on the "invisible chain gang" of the past, suggesting the weight of memories and former selves that follow one through life. The setting of a dilapidated hotel becomes a central motif, representing both a physical space and a metaphor for the transient, precarious nature of the speaker's existence and relationships. The "aliases" and "many faces" of the past populate this space, emphasizing the fluidity of identity and the difficulty of truly knowing oneself or another.

The hotel, with its "peeled" walls and "ruined" corsages, symbolizes the decay of the relationship and the broader human condition. The elevated train that shakes the world beyond the window pane serves as a reminder of the external forces that impact our lives, often leaving us feeling powerless and exposed. The speaker's longing for warmth and stability is a recurring theme, highlighted by the repeated assertion that "it was never warm enough in winter."

The figure of the black mare, introduced midway through the poem, is a powerful symbol of hope and ambition that ultimately leads to disappointment and loss. The mare's broken leg at the finish line encapsulates the tragic flaw in human endeavors—the vulnerability to failure and the fragility of our dreams. This image ties back to the speaker's relationship, marked by moments of closeness and tenderness ("Your arms circled me") amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their lives.

As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes more surreal and haunting. The hotel clerk who reads palms and breaks the seal on a deck of cards introduces an element of fate and the unknown, suggesting that our lives are subject to forces beyond our control. The speaker's declaration that "you're my fate, my sweet annihilating angel" captures the paradox of love and destruction that defines their relationship.

In the final stanzas, the poem shifts towards a reflection on what remains after the relationship has ended. The "grid of shadows" thrown by the El tracks, the "empty lot," and the "blistered sills" are all that's left of the world they once inhabited. The speaker's burnt arm becomes a physical reminder of the past, a mark that ensures they will not forget the relationship even as they acknowledge its end.

"Black Mare" is a haunting exploration of the themes of memory, loss, and the search for meaning in a transient world. Hull's vivid imagery and emotional depth create a powerful narrative that resonates with the reader long after the poem ends. The poem ultimately speaks to the human experience of grappling with the past, confronting the inevitability of change, and finding a way to move forward despite the scars we carry.


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