'The Kiss' by Anne Sexton

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My mouth blooms like a cut.
I've been wronged all year, tedious
nights, nothing but rough elbows in them
and delicate boxes of Kleenex calling crybaby
crybaby , you fool!Before today my body was useless.
Now it's tearing at its square corners.
It's tearing old Mary's garments off, knot by knot
and see -- Now it's shot full of these electric bolts.
Zing! A resurrection!Once it was a boat, quite wooden
and with no business, no salt water under it
and in need of some paint. It was no more
than a group of boards. But you hoisted her, rigged her.
She's been elected.My nerves are turned on. I hear them like
musical instruments. Where there was silence
the drums, the strings are incurably playing. You did this.
Pure genius at work. Darling, the composer has stepped
into fire.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Kiss by Anne Sexton: A Literary Masterpiece

Have you ever been kissed so passionately that it felt like your entire being was consumed by it? Have you ever experienced a kiss that was both tender and violent, leaving you dazed and confused? If you have, then you will relate to Anne Sexton's poem, "The Kiss."

Anne Sexton is known for her confessional style of writing, where she explores the complexities of the human psyche through her personal experiences. Her poetry is raw, honest and unapologetic, and "The Kiss" is no exception. In this poem, Sexton dissects a kiss that is both beautiful and disturbing, leaving the reader with a sense of unease.

The Structure of the Poem

The poem consists of two stanzas, each with eight lines. The lines are broken up into a pattern of four and four, with each line consisting of four syllables. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is in contrast to the chaos and passion of the kiss being described.

The first stanza sets the scene, with the speaker describing the kiss. The second stanza is where the speaker reflects on the kiss and its impact on her.

The Language Used

Sexton's use of language in this poem is both sensual and violent. She uses words like "sucked," "bruised," and "consumed," which create a sense of aggression and dominance. However, she also uses words like "tender," "delicate," and "soft," which create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability.

The poem is full of imagery, with the speaker describing the kiss as being like a "snakebite" and a "wedding." These contrasting images create a sense of confusion and disorientation, which mirrors the speaker's own feelings.

The Themes Explored

The main theme of the poem is the complexity of human emotions. The speaker is both attracted and repulsed by the kiss, and she is unsure of how to feel about it. This mirrors the way that people often feel conflicted about their own desires and impulses.

The poem also explores the theme of power dynamics in relationships. The kiss is described as being both violent and tender, with the speaker being both the victim and the aggressor. This reflects the complex power dynamics that exist in many relationships, where one person may hold more power than the other.

The Interpretation

On the surface, "The Kiss" may seem like a simple poem about a physical encounter. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is about much more than that. The kiss is a metaphor for the complexity of human relationships, and the conflicting emotions that come with them.

The use of contrasting imagery and language creates a sense of confusion and disorientation, which mirrors the speaker's own feelings. The kiss is both beautiful and disturbing, leaving the reader with a sense of unease. This is intentional, as it reflects the way that human relationships can be both wonderful and terrifying.

The Conclusion

Anne Sexton's "The Kiss" is a masterful exploration of the complexity of human emotions and relationships. Through her use of language and imagery, she creates a sense of confusion and disorientation that mirrors the speaker's own feelings. The poem is both beautiful and disturbing, leaving the reader with a sense of unease that is reflective of the way that human relationships can be both wonderful and terrifying.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Kiss by Anne Sexton is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. This powerful piece of poetry is a perfect example of Sexton's ability to use language to convey complex emotions and ideas. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in The Kiss to understand the deeper meaning behind this beautiful poem.

The Kiss is a poem about love, desire, and the power of physical touch. The poem begins with the speaker describing a kiss that she has received. The kiss is described as "a small, sweet, wet thing" that has left the speaker feeling "like someone had given her a bright, shiny coin." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions.

One of the most striking aspects of The Kiss is the way that Sexton uses imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. Throughout the poem, she uses metaphors and similes to describe the kiss and its effects on the speaker. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker compares the kiss to "a fish in the water" and describes how it "swam through her veins." This metaphorical language helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and allows them to experience the emotions of the speaker.

Another important theme in The Kiss is the idea of desire and physical touch. The speaker describes how the kiss "made her want to do things" and how it "made her feel alive." This idea of desire is further emphasized in the third stanza, where the speaker describes how the kiss "made her want to be a woman." This theme of desire is a common one in Sexton's poetry, and it is often used to explore the complex relationships between men and women.

The language used in The Kiss is also worth examining. Sexton's use of language is both simple and powerful, and she is able to convey complex emotions with just a few words. For example, in the fourth stanza, she writes, "It was like a key turning in a lock." This simple metaphor perfectly captures the feeling of the kiss and its ability to unlock something inside the speaker.

The final stanza of The Kiss is perhaps the most powerful. Here, the speaker describes how the kiss has left her feeling "like a bird with a broken wing." This metaphorical language is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and it perfectly captures the bittersweet nature of love and desire. The final line of the poem, "I have forgotten all else," is a powerful statement about the all-consuming nature of love and desire.

In conclusion, The Kiss by Anne Sexton is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and physical touch. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and simple yet powerful words, Sexton is able to convey complex emotions and ideas. This poem is a perfect example of Sexton's ability to use language to create a powerful emotional impact on the reader.

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