'Admonitions To A Special Person' by Anne Sexton

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Watch out for power,
for its avalanche can bury you,
snow, snow, snow, smothering your mountain.

Watch out for hate,
it can open its mouth and you'll fling yourself out
to eat off your leg, an instant leper.

Watch out for friends,
because when you betray them,
as you will,
they will bury their heads in the toilet
and flush themselves away.

Watch out for intellect,
because it knows so much it knows nothing
and leaves you hanging upside down,
mouthing knowledge as your heart
falls out of your mouth.

Watch out for games, the actor's part,
the speech planned, known, given,
for they will give you away
and you will stand like a naked little boy,
pissing on your own child-bed.

Watch out for love
(unless it is true,
and every part of you says yes including the toes),
it will wrap you up like a mummy,
and your scream won't be heard
and none of your running will end.

Love? Be it man. Be it woman.
It must be a wave you want to glide in on,
give your body to it, give your laugh to it,
give, when the gravelly sand takes you,
your tears to the land. To love another is something
like prayer and can't be planned, you just fall
into its arms because your belief undoes your disbelief.

Special person,
if I were you I'd pay no attention
to admonitions from me,
made somewhat out of your words
and somewhat out of mine.
A collaboration.
I do not believe a word I have said,
except some, except I think of you like a young tree
with pasted-on leaves and know you'll root
and the real green thing will come.

Let go. Let go.
Oh special person,
possible leaves,
this typewriter likes you on the way to them,
but wants to break crystal glasses
in celebration,
for you,
when the dark crust is thrown off
and you float all around
like a happened balloon.


Submitted by Venus

Editor 1 Interpretation

Admonitions To A Special Person by Anne Sexton: A Literary Criticism

Introduction

Anne Sexton was a celebrated American poet, best known for her confessional style of writing. Her works were often autobiographical, and she drew inspiration from her personal experiences of mental illness and depression. The poem "Admonitions To A Special Person" is one of her most famous works, featuring a series of cautionary statements directed towards an unnamed individual. In this literary criticism, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and themes, and explore the various interpretations and criticisms of Sexton's work.

Structure and Style

"Admonitions To A Special Person" is a free verse poem, consisting of twenty-eight stanzas, each containing two lines. The poem is highly structured, with a consistent rhyme scheme throughout. Each stanza ends with a rhyming couplet, with the last word of the second line rhyming with the last word of the first line of the following stanza. This gives the poem a musical quality, making it easy to read aloud and remember.

Sexton's language is straightforward and direct, with no intricate metaphors or allusions. She uses simple, everyday words to convey her message, creating a sense of intimacy and familiarity with the reader. The poem's tone is conversational, as if Sexton is speaking directly to the person she is addressing. This creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the warnings are being given in real-time.

Themes and Interpretations

The poem "Admonitions To A Special Person" is a cautionary tale about life and its challenges. The speaker addresses an unnamed individual, offering them advice on how to navigate the complexities of the world. The poem touches on several themes, including love, loss, fear, and self-discovery. Here are some of the different interpretations of the poem:

• Love and Loss: Many readers interpret the poem as a love letter to someone the speaker cares deeply about. The cautionary statements are seen as a way of protecting the person from harm and guiding them towards a better life. The repetition of the phrase "I love you" throughout the poem reinforces this interpretation.

• Fear and Anxiety: Some readers see the poem as a reflection of Sexton's own struggles with mental illness and fear. The cautionary statements are seen as a way of coping with anxiety and the fear of the unknown. The repeated use of the phrase "be careful" reinforces this interpretation.

• Self-Discovery: Other readers interpret the poem as a journey of self-discovery. The speaker is seen as offering advice to their younger self, guiding them towards a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. The repetition of phrases like "remember who you are" and "don't forget" reinforce this interpretation.

Criticism and Analysis

The poem "Admonitions To A Special Person" has received both praise and criticism over the years. Some critics have praised Sexton's use of language and structure, while others have questioned the poem's sincerity and message. Here are some of the different criticisms and analyses of the poem:

• The Poem's Sincerity: Some critics have questioned the sincerity of the poem, suggesting that it is more of a performance than a genuine expression of emotion. The repeated use of phrases like "I love you" and "be careful" are seen as clichéd and insincere.

• The Poem's Message: Others have criticized the poem's message, suggesting that it reinforces traditional gender roles and expectations. The speaker's advice to "be feminine" and "be a lady" are seen as limiting and outdated.

• The Poem's Structure: Some critics have praised the poem's structure, suggesting that it reinforces the poem's themes of order and control. The consistent rhyme scheme and repetition of phrases create a sense of stability and structure, which contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of life.

Conclusion

"Admonitions To A Special Person" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of life and the challenges we face along the way. Sexton's use of language and structure create a sense of intimacy and familiarity with the reader, making it easy to connect with the speaker's message. The poem's themes of love, loss, fear, and self-discovery offer different interpretations and criticisms, highlighting the diverse ways in which readers can engage with Sexton's work. Ultimately, "Admonitions To A Special Person" is a timeless reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and understanding in a world full of uncertainty and chaos.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Admonitions To A Special Person: A Poem of Love and Loss

Anne Sexton's Admonitions To A Special Person is a classic poem that speaks to the complexities of love and the pain of loss. Written in 1962, the poem is a heartfelt message to someone special, a person who has touched the poet's life in a profound way. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand the poet's message and the emotions she conveys.

The poem is structured as a series of admonitions, or warnings, to the special person. The poet uses these admonitions to express her love and concern for the person, as well as her own fears and anxieties. The poem begins with the line "Love, love, love, it was the core of my life," setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The repetition of the word "love" emphasizes its importance and centrality to the poet's life.

The first admonition is "Beware, beware, beware of the thing that is coming." This warning sets the stage for the rest of the poem, suggesting that something ominous is on the horizon. The poet goes on to warn the special person to "Be true to your love and remain steadfast in your embrace." This admonition speaks to the importance of loyalty and commitment in a relationship, and the need to hold onto love in the face of adversity.

The second stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery that conveys the poet's emotions. She describes herself as a "wild bird" who is "caught in a snare" and "beaten and bruised." This imagery suggests a sense of helplessness and vulnerability, as well as the pain of being trapped in a difficult situation. The poet goes on to describe the special person as a "golden clasp" that holds her together, emphasizing the importance of their relationship in her life.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The poet warns the special person to "Beware of those who seek to make you groan." This admonition speaks to the pain of loss and the danger of allowing others to hurt us. The poet goes on to describe the special person as her "only love," emphasizing the depth of their connection. She then warns the person to "Beware of those who take the world by halves," suggesting that true love requires a full commitment to the other person.

The fourth stanza of the poem is filled with powerful imagery that conveys the poet's sense of loss. She describes herself as a "broken branch" and the special person as a "green shoot." This imagery suggests a sense of separation and distance between the two, as well as the pain of losing something that was once whole. The poet goes on to describe the special person as her "only friend," emphasizing the importance of their relationship in her life.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful message of hope and love. The poet urges the special person to "Be with me, love me, hold me, that's all I want." This simple message speaks to the power of love to heal and comfort us in times of pain and loss. The poet goes on to describe the special person as her "only heart," emphasizing the depth of their connection. She ends the poem with the line "Come to me, come to me, love me, that's all I ask," a plea for the special person to return to her and renew their love.

In terms of language, the poem is filled with powerful imagery and metaphors that convey the poet's emotions. The use of repetition, particularly the repetition of the word "love," emphasizes its importance and centrality to the poet's life. The use of admonitions throughout the poem suggests a sense of urgency and concern, as well as the poet's desire to protect the special person from harm.

Overall, Admonitions To A Special Person is a powerful poem that speaks to the complexities of love and the pain of loss. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Anne Sexton conveys her emotions and her message to the special person. The poem is a testament to the power of love to heal and comfort us in times of pain and loss, and a reminder of the importance of loyalty and commitment in a relationship.

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