"The Centaur"by May Swenson, a poem the reaches back to the narrator's indulgent childhood memory creates meaning. One's childhood is composed of innocence and imagination. These two aspects of early life become fond memories that should be appreciated and held in reverence. The language, imagery, structure, and point of view convey meaning in the poem.
             The way "The Centaur" is written, allows one to visualize and almost touch her memory. It actually seems to grasp all of the senses. Swenson uses words that are referenced to horses and riding such as "cinched" "trot" "mane"giving the idea that there truly is a living horse in the memory. The vocabulary of her fantasy makes it seem very realistic and emotionally positive.
             The poem makes one wonder, Is she playing a game or is she really riding a horse?
             In the conclusion of the poem, her mother's question's and the daughter's responses show the contrast of reality and fantasy/imagination. "Where have you been? - Been riding...Why is your mouth all green - Rob Roy, he pulled some clover as we crossed the field." The daughter's imagination is so strong that she believes she was simply outside riding her horse.
             Imagery, an obvious element of Swenson's poem. The title of the poem, "The Centaur", is so strong, it automatically gives the sense of a part girl, part horse the entire time for the reader. The narrator gives herself all the qualities of a horse. "...my neck arched and I snorted, I shied and skitters, and reared..."Swenson creates a visualization that a full stable of horses awaits her every day, although she explains that it's a willow grove, "-each day I'd go out to choose a fresh horse from my stable...".
             The main body of "The Centaur" deals entirely with Swenson's childhood fantasy. Each stanza has exactly three li...