'Angels Of The Love Affair' by Anne Sexton
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"Angels of the love affair, do you know that other,
the dark one, that other me?"1. ANGEL OF FIRE AND GENITALSAngel of fire and genitals, do you know slime,
that green mama who first forced me to sing,
who put me first in the latrine, that pantomime
of brown where I was beggar and she was king?
I said, "The devil is down that festering hole."
Then he bit me in the buttocks and took over my soul.
Fire woman, you of the ancient flame, you
of the Bunsen burner, you of the candle,
you of the blast furnace, you of the barbecue,
you of the fierce solar energy, Mademoiselle,
take some ice, take come snow, take a month of rain
and you would gutter in the dark, cracking up your brain.Mother of fire, let me stand at your devouring gate
as the sun dies in your arms and you loosen it's terrible weight.2. ANGEL OF CLEAN SHEETSAngel of clean sheets, do you know bedbugs?
Once in the madhouse they came like specks of cinnamon
as I lay in a choral cave of drugs,
as old as a dog, as quiet as a skeleton.
Little bits of dried blood. One hundred marks
upon the sheet. One hundred kisses in the dark.
White sheets smelling of soap and Clorox
have nothing to do with this night of soil,
nothing to do with barred windows and multiple locks
and all the webbing in the bed, the ultimate recoil.
I have slept in silk and in red and in black.
I have slept on sand and, on fall night, a haystack.I have known a crib. I have known the tuck-in of a child
but inside my hair waits the night I was defiled.3. ANGEL OF FLIGHT AND SLEIGH BELLSAngel of flight and sleigh bells, do you know paralysis,
that ether house where your arms and legs are cement?
You are as still as a yardstick. You have a doll's kiss.
The brain whirls in a fit. The brain is not evident.
I have gone to that same place without a germ or a stroke.
A little solo act--that lady with the brain that broke.In this fashion I have become a tree.
I have become a vase you can pick up or drop at will,
inanimate at last. What unusual luck! My body
passively resisting. Part of the leftovers. Part of the kill.
Angels of flight, you soarer, you flapper, you floater,
you gull that grows out of my back in the drreams I prefer,stay near. But give me the totem. Give me the shut eye
where I stand in stone shoes as the world's bicycle goes by.4. ANGEL OF HOPE AND CALENDARSAngel of hope and calendars, do you know despair?
That hole I crawl into with a box of Kleenex,
that hole where the fire woman is tied to her chair,
that hole where leather men are wringing their necks,
where the sea has turned into a pond of urine.
There is no place to wash and no marine beings to stir in.In this hole your mother is crying out each day.
Your father is eating cake and digging her grave.
In this hole your baby is strangling. Your mouth is clay.
Your eyes are made of glass. They break. You are not brave.
You are alone like a dog in a kennel. Your hands
break out in boils. Your arms are cut and bound by bandsof wire. Your voice is out there. Your voice is strange.
There are no prayers here. Here there is no change.5. ANGEL OF BLIZZARDS AND BLACKOUTSAngle of blizzards and blackouts, do you know raspberries,
those rubies that sat in the gree of my grandfather's garden?
You of the snow tires, you of the sugary wings, you freeze
me out. Leet me crawl through the patch. Let me be ten.
Let me pick those sweet kisses, thief that I was,
as the sea on my left slapped its applause.Only my grandfather was allowed there. Or the maid
who came with a scullery pan to pick for breakfast.
She of the rols that floated in the air, she of the inlaid
woodwork all greasy with lemon, she of the feather and dust,
not I. Nonetheless I came sneaking across the salt lawn
in bare feet and jumping-jack pajamas in the spongy dawn.Oh Angel of the blizzard and blackout, Madam white face,
take me back to that red mouth, that July 21st place.6. ANGEL OF BEACH HOUSES AND PICNICSAngel of beach houses and picnics, do you know solitaire?
Fifty-two reds and blacks and only myslef to blame.
My blood buzzes like a hornet's nest. I sit in a kitchen chair
at a table set for one. The silverware is the same
and the glass and the sugar bowl. I hear my lungs fill and expel
as in an operation. But I have no one left to tell.Once I was a couple. I was my own king and queen
with cheese and bread and ros on the rocks of Rockport.
Once I sunbathed in the buff, all brown and lean,
watching the toy sloops go by, holding court
for busloads of tourists. Once I called breakfast the sexiest
meal of the day. Once I invited arrestat the peace march in Washington. Once I was young and bold
and left hundreds of unmatched people out in the cold.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Angels of the Love Affair by Anne Sexton
Have you ever experienced a love affair? Have you ever felt the ecstasy and agony of falling in love, only to be left heartbroken when it ends? Anne Sexton’s “Angels of the Love Affair” captures the essence of a love affair, from the initial attraction to the painful aftermath, in a series of fourteen poems.
Background
Before we delve into the poems themselves, let’s first examine the background and context in which they were written. Anne Sexton was an American poet who is known for her confessional style of poetry. She was a contemporary of Sylvia Plath and the two were often compared, both for their personal lives and their writing.
Sexton struggled with mental illness throughout her life and ultimately died by suicide in 1974. Her poems often explore themes of death, sexuality, and mental illness, drawing from her own personal experiences.
“Angels of the Love Affair” was published posthumously in 1975, just one year after Sexton’s death. The poems were written during a tumultuous time in her life, as she was going through a divorce and struggling with alcoholism.
The Poems
Now, let’s examine the individual poems that make up “Angels of the Love Affair.”
The first poem, “The Angel of the Morning,” sets the tone for the rest of the collection. The speaker is awoken by an angel who tells her to “rise up.” This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the beginning of a new love affair, as the speaker is being urged to “rise up” and start a new day.
The second poem, “The Angel of the Bedroom,” is a sensual exploration of the beginning stages of a love affair. The speaker describes the angel as “naked and warm,” evoking feelings of intimacy and desire.
In “The Angel of the Kitchen,” we see the domestic side of love. The speaker describes the angel as “floury,” suggesting that they are baking together. This poem could be seen as a metaphor for the way that love can bring people together in everyday tasks.
“The Angel of Loneliness” is a somber poem that explores the pain of being alone. The speaker describes the angel as “dark and thin,” suggesting that loneliness can be a dark and consuming presence.
In “The Angel of the Bridge,” we see the speaker grappling with the end of a love affair. The bridge could be interpreted as a metaphor for the divide between two people who were once in love, but are now separated.
“The Angel of the Waterfall” is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the power of nature. The speaker describes the waterfall as “cold and clean,” suggesting that it is a source of purity and renewal.
In “The Angel of the Dance,” we see the speaker trying to move on from a love affair by finding solace in dance. The angel in this poem is described as “graceful and true,” suggesting that the act of dancing can bring a sense of peace and fulfillment.
“The Angel of the Future” is a hopeful poem that looks to the future with optimism. The speaker describes the angel as “bright and clear,” suggesting that the future holds promise and possibility.
In “The Angel of Work,” we see the speaker finding purpose and meaning in their job. The angel in this poem is described as “serious and wise,” suggesting that work can be a source of fulfillment and growth.
“The Angel of Mercy” is a poignant poem that explores the themes of death and loss. The speaker describes the angel as “tender and mild,” suggesting that mercy can be a source of comfort in times of grief.
In “The Angel of the House,” we see the speaker finding comfort in the familiarity of home. The angel in this poem is described as “quiet and kind,” suggesting that home can be a sanctuary in times of chaos.
“The Angel of the Garden” is a beautiful poem that explores the connection between nature and love. The speaker describes the angel as “green and fresh,” suggesting that love can be a source of renewal and growth.
In “The Angel of the Ocean,” we see the speaker finding peace and solace in the vastness of the ocean. The angel in this poem is described as “wild and free,” suggesting that nature can be a source of liberation and empowerment.
Finally, in “The Angel of Dust,” we see the speaker coming to terms with the end of a love affair. The angel in this poem is described as “sad and still,” suggesting that the speaker has accepted the end of their relationship and is ready to move on.
Interpretation
So, what can we take away from these fourteen poems? First and foremost, “Angels of the Love Affair” is a powerful exploration of the human experience of love. From the initial attraction to the painful aftermath, Sexton captures the full range of emotions that come with falling in love.
At the same time, “Angels of the Love Affair” is also a deeply personal collection of poems that reflects Sexton’s own struggles with love and mental illness. The themes of death, loss, and loneliness are all present in these poems, underscoring the deeply personal nature of Sexton’s writing.
Overall, “Angels of the Love Affair” is a stunning collection of poems that explores the complexities of love and human emotion. Whether you’ve experienced a love affair yourself or not, these poems are sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt the ecstasy and agony of love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Angels of the Love Affair: A Masterpiece by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her confessional style of writing. Her poems are deeply personal and often explore themes of mental illness, sexuality, and death. One of her most famous works, Poetry Angels of the Love Affair, is a stunning example of her unique style and poetic talent.
The poem is divided into three parts, each exploring a different aspect of love and relationships. In the first part, Sexton introduces the idea of "poetry angels," beings who are "born with wings and with a love for words." These angels are the embodiment of the power of language and the ability to express oneself through poetry. They are also a metaphor for the transformative power of love.
The second part of the poem focuses on the speaker's relationship with her lover. She describes the intense passion and desire that they share, as well as the pain and heartbreak that comes with it. The speaker acknowledges that their love is not perfect, but it is real and powerful. She also recognizes that their relationship is fleeting and that they will eventually have to part ways.
The final part of the poem is a reflection on the nature of love itself. Sexton explores the idea that love is both beautiful and painful, and that it is something that we cannot control or predict. She also suggests that love is a kind of madness, something that can consume us completely and leave us feeling lost and alone.
One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Angels of the Love Affair is the way that Sexton uses language to convey complex emotions and ideas. Her use of metaphor and imagery is particularly powerful. For example, the idea of the "poetry angels" is a beautiful and evocative metaphor for the transformative power of love. The image of the angels with their wings and love for words is both ethereal and grounded in reality.
Sexton's use of language is also incredibly sensual. She describes the physical aspects of love in vivid detail, using words that are both beautiful and raw. For example, she writes, "We are two bodies that make a single shadow / and when we lie together we are like a double-headed axe, / the handle lying between us, / and the two blades / perfectly joined." This description is both erotic and violent, capturing the intensity of the speaker's passion and desire.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way that Sexton explores the darker side of love. She acknowledges that love can be painful and that it can lead to heartbreak and loss. She writes, "We are two that love each other / and therefore there is no peace / between us, only agony." This line captures the paradoxical nature of love, which can bring both joy and pain.
Overall, Poetry Angels of the Love Affair is a stunning example of Anne Sexton's poetic talent. The poem is both beautiful and raw, exploring the complexities of love and relationships in a way that is both personal and universal. Sexton's use of language is powerful and evocative, and her exploration of the darker aspects of love is both honest and brave. This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry and a testament to Sexton's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
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