Abstract
The poem “Argamak” belongs to the early period of Olzhas Suleimenov’s work and was published in his first collection. It contains key thematic elements of his creativity, which have been noted by researchers. These elements were further developed in his programmatic works of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Using a structural approach, we have shown that the poem embodies the idea of the steppe’s “Polovtsian land” – a cosmos of the steppe, not limited by time and space. The markers of this steppe cosmos are the images of Argamak – a thoroughbred steed, a warriornomad anticipating a race and the subsequent clash with the enemy. The idea of the steppe cosmos is manifested through transcultural poetic verbal means: metaphors, similes, as well as in the intonational-rhythmic pattern and sound imagery of the verses. The lyrical hero is in an emotional surge, awaiting an endless gallop across the steppe and the wind striking his face.