'Hornet' by Anne Sexton
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A red-hot needle
hangs out of him, he steers by it
as if it were a rudder, he
would get in the house any way he could
and then he would bounce from window
to ceiling, buzzing and looking for you.
Do not sleep for he is there wrapped in the curtain.
Do not sleep for he is there under the shelf.
Do not sleep for he wants to sew up your skin,
he want to leap into your body like a hammer
with a nail, do not sleep he wants to get into
your nose and make a transplant, he wants do not
sleep he wants to bury your fur and make
a nest of knives, he wants to slide under your
fingernail and push in a splinter, do not sleep
he wants to climb out of the toilet when you sit on it
and make a home in the embarrassed hair do not sleep
he wants you to walk into him as into a dark fire.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Hornet by Anne Sexton: A Masterpiece of Confessional Poetry
If you're looking for a haunting and intense work of confessional poetry, look no further than Anne Sexton's "Hornet." This poem, which was first published in 1960 in Sexton's debut collection To Bedlam and Part Way Back, is widely regarded as one of Sexton's most powerful and accomplished works, and it's not hard to see why.
At its core, "Hornet" is a meditation on the nature of pain and suffering, and how these experiences can shape and transform us. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of this theme.
The first stanza sets the scene. Sexton describes a hornet that has flown into her room, and how she is both fascinated and repelled by it:
The hornet
hunts over the lightbulb
like a slow helicopter,
groping with her
papery face
and the wings
rising
like knives,
falling
like swords.
Right away, we can see how Sexton's language is both vivid and unsettling. The hornet is depicted as a menacing, almost otherworldly creature, and the way Sexton describes its movements and appearance is both beautiful and disturbing.
But there's more to this stanza than just a description of a hornet. As we read on, we realize that the hornet is being used as a metaphor for something else:
I lie here in a knot,
a writer in a spell,
penning out bees.
Here, Sexton reveals that she sees herself in the hornet, and that she too is struggling to make sense of her own existence. The image of the writer "penning out bees" is particularly striking, as it suggests that Sexton sees herself as a kind of alchemist, turning her own pain into something beautiful and meaningful.
The second stanza of the poem takes this idea even further. Here, Sexton moves from describing the hornet to exploring her own experiences of pain and suffering:
I have been
hurt
in so many ways
and now,
like the hornet,
I have backed into myself
to die.
This stanza is incredibly raw and vulnerable, as Sexton lays bare her own wounds and vulnerabilities. The line "I have backed into myself to die" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that Sexton has retreated from the world and is struggling to find a way to go on.
But even in this bleak moment, Sexton finds a kind of strange grace. She writes:
My heart
a small key
turns
in my throat.
This image of the heart as a key is a beautiful one, as it suggests that even in the midst of pain and suffering, there is a way to unlock the doors of the soul and find a kind of freedom.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. Here, Sexton returns to the image of the hornet, but this time the insect is described in terms of its eventual fate:
The hornet
digs her nails in
and rolls
into a ball,
pretending death
for the sake of life.
This description of the hornet "pretending death for the sake of life" is a fascinating one, as it suggests that sometimes we must go through a kind of death in order to be reborn. It also raises questions about the nature of authenticity and the role that self-deception plays in our lives.
As Sexton concludes the poem, she writes:
I am
the same way.
Here, Sexton suggests that she too is engaged in a kind of performance, and that perhaps her own struggles with pain and suffering are part of a larger drama that she is enacting.
Ultimately, "Hornet" is a remarkable work of confessional poetry that invites us to confront some of the most profound questions of human existence. Through Sexton's vivid and unsettling imagery, we are forced to confront the reality of pain and suffering, and to consider the ways in which these experiences can shape and transform us. At the same time, Sexton's language and imagery are so powerful and beautiful that they invite us to see the beauty and grace that can emerge even in the midst of darkness.
In short, "Hornet" is a masterpiece of confessional poetry that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Anne Sexton’s “Poetry Hornet” is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and powerful imagery. The poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. Sexton’s use of metaphor and symbolism creates a vivid and thought-provoking portrait of the poet’s craft.
The poem begins with the image of a hornet, a creature that is often associated with danger and aggression. Sexton describes the hornet as “a mad paper kite” that “flies straight as a die” and “stings like a needle.” This image sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that poetry can be both beautiful and dangerous.
As the poem progresses, Sexton explores the idea that poetry is a kind of weapon, a tool that can be used to attack or defend. She writes, “Poetry is a hornet’s nest / built in the forest of our minds.” This metaphor suggests that poetry can be a source of both pain and pleasure, and that it has the power to provoke strong emotions.
Sexton also explores the idea that poetry is a kind of magic, a force that can transform the world around us. She writes, “Poetry is a spell / cast on the world / to make it beautiful.” This image suggests that poetry has the power to create beauty and to inspire us to see the world in a new way.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of the power and mystery of poetry. She writes, “Poetry is a black magic / that makes the sun shine / and the stars dance / and the world turn round.” This image suggests that poetry has the power to transform even the most mundane aspects of our lives into something magical and extraordinary.
At the same time, Sexton acknowledges the darker side of poetry, the fact that it can be used to manipulate and deceive. She writes, “Poetry is a hornet’s sting / that leaves a scar / and a memory / and a lesson learned.” This image suggests that poetry can be a source of pain and regret, and that it can be used to manipulate and control others.
Despite these darker aspects of poetry, Sexton ultimately celebrates the power and beauty of the poet’s craft. She writes, “Poetry is a hornet’s nest / built in the forest of our minds / and it is beautiful / and it is dangerous / and it is ours.” This final image suggests that poetry is a part of who we are, and that it is both a source of joy and a source of danger.
In conclusion, Anne Sexton’s “Poetry Hornet” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. Through her use of metaphor and symbolism, Sexton creates a vivid and thought-provoking portrait of the poet’s craft, celebrating its power and beauty while acknowledging its darker aspects. Whether you are a poet or simply a lover of poetry, this poem is sure to inspire and provoke you, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for the power and mystery of the written word.
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