A Blessing James Wright Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota, Twillght 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 noloneliness 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 1 realize That if I stepped out of my body I would break Into blossom. 1. What Is the setting of the poem-where and when does it take place? 2. How do the ponles feel about the visit? How do they feel about each other? 3. Why does the speaker feel especially fond of one of the ponles? 4. What human qualities and feelings does the speaker give to the ponies?

1. **Setting:** The poem takes place just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota, at twilight. The specific season is implied to be spring, as the ponies are "munching the young tufts of spring."<br /><br /><br />2. **Ponies' Feelings:** The ponies seem overjoyed by the visit. The poem uses words like "gladly," "hardly contain their happiness," and "love each other" to convey their positive emotions. They appear to appreciate the company and affection. They also clearly love each other, as stated directly in the poem. Their "loneliness" suggests they cherish companionship.<br /><br /><br />3. **Speaker's Fondness:** The speaker feels a particular connection with the slenderer, black and white pony who approaches and nuzzles his hand. The gentle gesture of nuzzling, combined with the pony's delicate ear, which the speaker compares to "the skin over a girl's wrist," creates a sense of tenderness and vulnerability that draws the speaker to her.<br /><br /><br />4. **Human Qualities:** The speaker anthropomorphizes the ponies, attributing human emotions and behaviors to them. They are described as having "kindness" in their eyes, "bowing shyly," feeling "happiness," and experiencing "loneliness." These human-like qualities make the ponies relatable and emphasize the connection the speaker feels with them.<br />