'Live' by Anne Sexton
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Live or die, but don't poison everything...
Well, death's been here
for a long time --
it has a hell of a lot
to do with hell
and suspicion of the eye
and the religious objects
and how I mourned them
when they were made obscene
by my dwarf-heart's doodle.
The chief ingredient
is mutilation.
And mud, day after day,
mud like a ritual,
and the baby on the platter,
cooked but still human,
cooked also with little maggots,
sewn onto it maybe by somebody's mother,
the damn bitch!
Even so,
I kept right on going on,
a sort of human statement,
lugging myself as if
I were a sawed-off body
in the trunk, the steamer trunk.
This became perjury of the soul.
It became an outright lie
and even though I dressed the body
it was still naked, still killed.
It was caught
in the first place at birth,
like a fish.
But I play it, dressed it up,
dressed it up like somebody's doll.
Is life something you play?
And all the time wanting to get rid of it?
And further, everyone yelling at you
to shut up. And no wonder!
People don't like to be told
that you're sick
and then be forced
to watch
you
come
down with the hammer.
Today life opened inside me like an egg
and there inside
after considerable digging
I found the answer.
What a bargain!
There was the sun,
her yolk moving feverishly,
tumbling her prize --
and you realize she does this daily!
I'd known she was a purifier
but I hadn't thought
she was solid,
hadn't known she was an answer.
God! It's a dream,
lovers sprouting in the yard
like celery stalks
and better,
a husband straight as a redwood,
two daughters, two sea urchings,
picking roses off my hackles.
If I'm on fire they dance around it
and cook marshmallows.
And if I'm ice
they simply skate on me
in little ballet costumes.
Here,
all along,
thinking I was a killer,
anointing myself daily
with my little poisons.
But no.
I'm an empress.
I wear an apron.
My typewriter writes.
It didn't break the way it warned.
Even crazy, I'm as nice
as a chocolate bar.
Even with the witches' gymnastics
they trust my incalculable city,
my corruptible bed.
O dearest three,
I make a soft reply.
The witch comes on
and you paint her pink.
I come with kisses in my hood
and the sun, the smart one,
rolling in my arms.
So I say Live
and turn my shadow three times round
to feed our puppies as they come,
the eight Dalmatians we didn't drown,
despite the warnings: The abort! The destroy!
Despite the pails of water that waited,
to drown them, to pull them down like stones,
they came, each one headfirst, blowing bubbles the color of cataract-blue
and fumbling for the tiny tits.
Just last week, eight Dalmatians,
3/4 of a lb., lined up like cord wood
each
like a
birch tree.
I promise to love more if they come,
because in spite of cruelty
and the stuffed railroad cars for the ovens,
I am not what I expected. Not an Eichmann.
The poison just didn't take.
So I won't hang around in my hospital shift,
repeating The Black Mass and all of it.
I say Live, Live because of the sun,
the dream, the excitable gift.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Live" by Anne Sexton: A Profound Exploration of Existentialist Themes
As a renowned feminist poet of the mid-twentieth century, Anne Sexton left an indelible mark on the literary world with her bold and unflinching exploration of taboo topics such as depression, suicide, and sexuality. Her poem "Live" is one of her most celebrated works, a poignant meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and imagery of "Live," and explore how Sexton's poetic voice resonates with the existentialist philosophy of the twentieth century.
The Poem's Structure and Style
Before we plunge into the poem's substance, let's take a moment to appreciate its form. "Live" is a free-verse poem of fourteen stanzas with varying line lengths and no formal rhyme scheme. This structure mirrors the poem's central message that life is unpredictable and nonlinear, and that we must embrace its twists and turns without trying to impose a rigid structure on it. Sexton's style is marked by her use of repetition, anaphora, and paradox, which give her words a hypnotic quality and a sense of urgency.
The Theme of Mortality
The theme of mortality, or the inevitability of death, looms large in "Live." From the very first stanza, the speaker acknowledges that "everyone / who is born / holds dual citizenship / in the kingdom of the well / and in the kingdom of the sick." This duality sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker takes us on a journey through the ups and downs of life, from the joys of childhood to the pains of aging and illness.
One of the most powerful images in the poem is that of the "black telephone" that rings in the middle of the night, signaling the news of a loved one's death. The speaker's reaction to this news is one of shock and disbelief, as she realizes that "people come and go like molecules in a fog." This metaphor captures the fleeting nature of life, and the sense of helplessness we feel in the face of death's inevitability.
The Search for Meaning
As an existentialist poet, Sexton was preoccupied with the question of meaning in life. "Live" is a poem that grapples with this question, offering no easy answers but instead urging us to find our own sense of purpose and meaning. In the third stanza, the speaker asks, "What did you notice? / What did you hear?" These questions invite us to pay attention to the details of our lives, to be present in the moment, and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
Later in the poem, the speaker acknowledges the futility of trying to control our fate or impose meaning on our lives. She writes, "I have no doctrine / to offer you / I flunked Zen / I can't control / my spirit / or my sex." This admission of failure and vulnerability is a hallmark of Sexton's style, as she refuses to present a false veneer of strength or certainty.
The Symbolism of Water
Throughout the poem, water serves as a powerful symbol of life's fluidity and unpredictability. In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes a childhood memory of swimming in a lake, where she felt "the sun on my back / and the huge beat of the water's heart." This image conveys a sense of joy and freedom, as well as the sensation of being surrounded by something larger and more powerful than oneself.
Later in the poem, water takes on a darker aspect, as the speaker describes the "black waves" that threaten to engulf her. This image suggests the overwhelming nature of life's challenges, as well as the possibility of drowning in despair or hopelessness. Yet even in the midst of this darkness, the speaker finds a glimmer of hope, as she reminds us that "we are all alone / together / alive within minutes of each other."
The Paradox of Living
Perhaps the most striking aspect of "Live" is its embrace of paradox, as the speaker celebrates both the beauty and the pain of existence. In the sixth stanza, the speaker writes, "I am a nun now, I have never been so pure." This paradoxical statement suggests that even in the midst of life's messiness and impermanence, there is the possibility of transcendence and spiritual growth.
Similarly, in the final stanza, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death, yet insists that "we are alive / in one another's breath." This paradox captures the essence of Sexton's poetic vision, which celebrates the interconnectedness of all things, even in the face of mortality and suffering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Live" is a powerful and nuanced exploration of the human condition, full of paradox, symbolism, and existentialist themes. Through her use of vivid imagery, repetition, and anaphora, Sexton invites us to embrace the messiness and unpredictability of life, and to find meaning and purpose in the face of mortality. Her poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate the deepest truths of our existence, and to inspire us to live fully in the here and now.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Live by Anne Sexton: A Poem of Hope and Resilience
Anne Sexton's poem "Live" is a powerful and inspiring piece of literature that speaks to the human experience of suffering, resilience, and hope. Written in Sexton's signature confessional style, the poem is a reflection on the author's own struggles with mental illness and suicidal ideation, and a call to all of us to embrace life and find meaning in our struggles.
The Poem
The poem begins with a stark and haunting image: "I have been a woman for a long time / beware my smile / I am treacherous with old magic". This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and find joy in life.
Sexton goes on to describe the many challenges she has faced in her life, from the "blackouts" of depression to the "white nights" of insomnia. She speaks of the "dull ache" of loneliness and the "sharp pain" of heartbreak, and acknowledges the temptation to give up and succumb to despair.
But despite all of this, Sexton insists that life is worth living. She urges us to "live and be loved" and to "laugh and cry and sing and dance". She reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope, and that we have the power to create meaning and purpose in our lives.
The poem ends with a powerful affirmation of life: "I am alive / I am alive / I am alive". This repetition drives home the message that life is a precious gift, and that we should cherish it and make the most of every moment.
Analysis
At its core, "Live" is a poem about resilience and hope. Sexton's own struggles with mental illness and suicidal ideation are well-documented, and this poem can be seen as a reflection of her own journey towards healing and recovery.
The poem is structured as a series of contrasts between darkness and light, pain and joy, despair and hope. Sexton uses vivid and evocative language to describe the many challenges she has faced, from the "blackouts" of depression to the "white nights" of insomnia. These images create a sense of claustrophobia and suffocation, as if the speaker is trapped in a never-ending cycle of suffering.
But despite all of this, Sexton insists that life is worth living. She urges us to "live and be loved" and to "laugh and cry and sing and dance". These verbs are all active and life-affirming, suggesting that the key to overcoming adversity is to engage fully with life and embrace all of its ups and downs.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "I am alive" is repeated three times at the end of the poem, creating a sense of urgency and intensity. This repetition also serves to reinforce the central message of the poem: that life is a precious gift, and that we should cherish it and make the most of every moment.
Another important aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. Sexton's descriptions of the "blackouts" of depression and the "white nights" of insomnia are particularly powerful, as they create a sense of disorientation and confusion. The image of the "dull ache" of loneliness is also very effective, as it captures the sense of emptiness and isolation that can come with mental illness.
Overall, "Live" is a deeply moving and inspiring poem that speaks to the human experience of suffering and resilience. Sexton's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of urgency and intensity, while her message of hope and resilience is both powerful and uplifting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Anne Sexton's poem "Live" is a powerful and inspiring meditation on the human experience of suffering and resilience. Through vivid imagery and repetition, Sexton captures the sense of darkness and despair that can come with mental illness, while also offering a message of hope and resilience.
The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope, and that we have the power to create meaning and purpose in our lives. It is a call to all of us to embrace life and find joy in the midst of our struggles, and to remember that we are alive, and that is something to be cherished and celebrated.
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