last time, i promise
a blessing, james wright
Just off the Highway to Rochester, Minnesota
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.
what is the significance of the irony used in the poem
First you'll have to tell us where you think there's irony in this poem. Then perhaps someone can help you.
There is not much irony here... However, the fact that they are Indian ponies who have come back to their native land could be considered irony.
The significance of the irony in the poem "A Blessing" by James Wright lies in the contrast between the speaker's initial perception of the Indian ponies and the transformative experience he undergoes throughout the poem.
At the beginning of the poem, the speaker describes the ponies as having darkened eyes that "show kindness" and being glad to welcome him and his friend. This initial portrayal appears to be a straightforward depiction of the ponies' gentle and welcoming nature. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's perception of the ponies takes on a deeper meaning.
The irony lies in the fact that the perceived kindness and happiness of the ponies in their natural state contrasts with the loneliness that the speaker feels. The ponies are described as being free to graze in the pasture all day, yet the speaker feels a sense of isolation and yearning within himself. This irony emphasizes the disconnection between the speaker and the natural world, highlighting his own human struggles with loneliness and the longing for connection.
As the poem reaches its conclusion, the speaker's perspective shifts dramatically. He expresses a desire to hold one of the ponies, feeling a connection and empathy towards it. This realization leads to a moment of transcendence and self-discovery, symbolized by the line, "Suddenly I realize / That if I stepped out of my body I would break / Into blossom."
The irony in the poem underscores the juxtaposition between the ponies' apparent joy and connection with each other, and the speaker's internal loneliness. The transformative moment at the end further emphasizes the longing for connection and the possibility of finding solace and beauty in the natural world. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own sense of isolation and the potential for inner growth and understanding through moments of communion with nature.