Exploring the Haunted Echoes of 'Scared Violent Like Horses' by Michelle Zauner

Scared Violent Like Horses: Poems

by Anja Hilling

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3181 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	88 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In the realm of literature, there are books that resonate with readers on a profound level, leaving an indelible mark on their hearts and minds. 'Scared Violent Like Horses,' the debut poetry collection by Michelle Zauner, is one such book.

Published in 2018, 'Scared Violent Like Horses' emerged as a raw and intimate exploration of grief, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships. Through a series of hauntingly beautiful poems, Zauner delves into the depths of loss and the transformative power of nature.

Unveiling the Depths of Grief

The poems in 'Scared Violent Like Horses' grapple with the profound pain of losing her mother to cancer. Zauner's words capture the visceral rawness of grief, evoking a sense of desolation and longing that is both heartbreaking and cathartic.

In the poem "Horse," Zauner writes:

I have become / a horse / galloping through / the woods.

My mane is long / and tangled, / my hooves thunder / against the ground.

I am running from / something, / but I don't know / what.

Through the metaphor of a wild horse, Zauner expresses the unbridled emotions that accompany grief: the primal urge to escape, the relentless pursuit of understanding, and the overwhelming sense of being lost.

Seeking Solace in Nature

Amidst the turmoil of grief, Zauner finds solace in the beauty and tranquility of nature. Her poems are infused with vivid imagery of forests, animals, and the changing seasons, offering a sanctuary for her wounded spirit.

In the poem "Moss," she writes:

I am covered in moss. / It grows on my skin, / in my hair, / in my mouth.

It is soft and green, / and it makes me feel / like I am a part / of the forest.

Through her connection with nature, Zauner finds a sense of peace and belonging, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, beauty and resilience prevail.

Navigating Complex Relationships

'Scared Violent Like Horses' also explores the complexities of human relationships, particularly the bonds between mothers and daughters, lovers, and friends.

In the poem "My Mother's Hands," Zauner writes:

My mother's hands / are soft like leather, / but they can also be / hard as stone.

They have held me / since I was a child, / but they have also pushed me away.

Zauner's poems capture the bittersweet nature of relationships, the intricate interplay of love, resentment, and the enduring power of family ties.

Lyrical Prose and Introspective Narrative

One of the striking features of 'Scared Violent Like Horses' is Zauner's unique and evocative writing style. Her poems are written in a lyrical prose that is both ethereal and deeply personal, creating a sense of intimacy between reader and author.

Zauner also incorporates fragments of her own personal narrative throughout the poems, blurring the lines between poetry and memoir. This introspective approach allows readers to witness the raw emotions and experiences that inspired the work.

A Haunting and Healing Legacy

Michelle Zauner's 'Scared Violent Like Horses' is a remarkable collection of poems that haunt and heal in equal measure. Through her vulnerable and unflinching exploration of grief, nature, and human relationships, Zauner gives voice to the universal experiences that often remain unspoken.

Her poems remind us that even in the most profound darkness, there is always the possibility of finding light and redemption. 'Scared Violent Like Horses' is a literary triumph, a testament to the transformative power of poetry and the enduring spirit of the human heart.

Scared Violent Like Horses: Poems

by Anja Hilling

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3181 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	88 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE