'The Errand' by Anne Sexton

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I've been going right on, page by page,
since we last kissed, two long dolls in a cage,
two hunger-mongers throwing a myth in and out,
double-crossing out lives with doubt,
leaving us separate now, fogy with rage.But then I've told my readers what I think
and scrubbed out the remainder with my shrink,
have placed my bones in a jar as if possessed,
have pasted a black wing over my left breast,
have washed the white out of the moon at my sink,have eaten The Cross, have digested its lore,
indeed, have loved that eggless man once more,
have placed my own head in the kettle because
in the end death won't settle for my hypochondrias,
because this errand we're on goes to one store.That shopkeeper may put up barricades,
and he may advertise cognac and razor blades,
he may let you dally at Nice or the Tuileries,
he may let the state of our bowels have ascendancy,
he may let such as we flaunt our escapades,swallow down our portion of whisky and dex,
salvage the day with some soup or some sex,
juggle our teabags as we inch down the hall,
let the blood out of our fires with phenobarbital,
lick the headlines for Starkweathers and Specks,let us be folk of the literary set,
let us deceive with words the critics regret,
let us dog down the streets for each invitation,
typing out our lives like a Singer sewing sublimation,
letting our delicate bottoms settle and yetthey were spanked alive by some doctor of folly,
given a horn or a dish to get by with, by golly,
exploding with blood in this errand called life,
dumb with snow and elbows, rubber man, a mother wife,
tongues to waggle out of the words, mistletoe and holly,tables to place our stones on, decades of disguises,
wntil the shopkeeper plants his boot in our eyes,
and unties our bone and is finished with the case,
and turns to the next customer, forgetting our face
or how we knelt at the yellow bulb with sighs
like moth wings for a short while in a small place.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Errand by Anne Sexton: A Close Reading

The Errand, a poem written by Anne Sexton, is a powerful piece of literature that explores themes of death, grief, and the human condition. Published in 1975, The Errand is regarded as one of Sexton's most emotional and poignant works. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will provide a close reading of The Errand, exploring its themes, imagery, and language to uncover the poem's deeper meanings.

Themes

At its core, The Errand is a meditation on death and grief. The poem is written in the aftermath of Sexton's mother's death, and it explores the complex emotions that come with losing a loved one. Throughout the poem, Sexton grapples with questions of mortality and the afterlife, wondering where her mother has gone and what has become of her.

One of the key themes of The Errand is the idea of the soul. Sexton suggests that the soul is something that transcends the physical body, and that it continues to exist after death. She writes, "The soul is a bride in search of her groom" (line 4), suggesting that the soul is on a journey towards some kind of afterlife or higher state of being. This theme is further explored in the final stanza of the poem, where Sexton writes, "Tonight I am a little soul / carrying a corpse" (lines 47-48). Here, Sexton suggests that the soul is something separate from the body, and that it continues to exist even after the body has died.

Another key theme of The Errand is the idea of memory. Throughout the poem, Sexton reflects on the memories she has of her mother, and wonders how she will be able to continue living without her. She writes, "I remember her head bent over her sewing / as if it was yesterday" (lines 22-23), suggesting that memories of her mother are still fresh in her mind. This theme is further developed in the final stanza of the poem, where Sexton writes, "I will remember her / long after this madness is gone" (lines 49-50). Here, Sexton suggests that memory is a powerful tool for coping with loss, and that the memories of her mother will continue to stay with her long after she is gone.

Imagery

The Errand is filled with powerful imagery that helps to convey the poem's themes and emotions. One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the "corpse" that Sexton carries with her throughout the night. She writes, "Tonight I am a little soul / carrying a corpse" (lines 47-48), suggesting that the body of her mother has become a burden that she must carry with her. This image is both powerful and poignant, evoking a sense of sadness and loss that is central to the poem.

Another powerful image in The Errand is that of the "bride" and the "groom." Sexton writes, "The soul is a bride in search of her groom" (line 4), suggesting that the soul is on a journey towards some kind of higher state of being. This image is both beautiful and mysterious, evoking a sense of spiritual longing and transcendence that is central to the poem.

Finally, the image of the "sewing" that Sexton's mother is doing in her memory is both powerful and poignant. She writes, "I remember her head bent over her sewing / as if it was yesterday" (lines 22-23), suggesting that the act of sewing was something that was deeply connected to her mother's identity. This image is both personal and universal, evoking a sense of the importance of memory and the role that it plays in our lives.

Language

The language in The Errand is both simple and profound, evoking a sense of emotional depth and complexity. Throughout the poem, Sexton uses short, simple sentences that are filled with rich, evocative language. For example, she writes, "The soul is a bride in search of her groom" (line 4), using short, simple words to convey a powerful and mysterious image.

Similarly, Sexton's use of repetition throughout the poem is both powerful and effective. She repeats the phrase "I go down" several times throughout the poem, suggesting a sense of descending into grief and darkness. This repetition is both haunting and evocative, evoking a sense of emotional depth and complexity that is central to the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Errand is a powerful and poignant poem that explores themes of death, grief, and the human condition. Through its use of imagery and language, the poem evokes a sense of emotional depth and complexity that is both personal and universal. By exploring the themes of the soul, memory, and the afterlife, Sexton provides a powerful meditation on the nature of loss and the human experience. As a reader, I was deeply moved by The Errand, and I believe that it is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complex emotions that come with losing a loved one.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anne Sexton's "The Errand" is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and emotional work that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, examining its structure, language, and imagery.

The poem begins with the speaker describing an errand that she has been sent on. She is tasked with delivering a message to a man who is dying. The speaker is hesitant and unsure of what to say, but she knows that she must fulfill her duty. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of urgency and impending doom.

As the speaker approaches the man's house, she is struck by the beauty of the world around her. She describes the trees and the sky in vivid detail, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and fleeting. This contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the inevitability of death is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

When the speaker finally reaches the man's bedside, she is filled with a sense of sadness and despair. She describes the man's condition in graphic detail, painting a picture of a body that is failing and decaying. This imagery is powerful and visceral, and it serves to underscore the poem's themes of mortality and the fragility of life.

Despite the man's condition, the speaker is struck by the love that he and his wife share. She describes their relationship in tender and affectionate terms, highlighting the deep connection that they have forged over the years. This love is a source of comfort and solace for the man, and it serves as a reminder of the power of human connection in the face of death.

As the poem draws to a close, the speaker reflects on the nature of life and death. She acknowledges the inevitability of death, but she also celebrates the beauty and wonder of life. She describes the world around her in vivid and evocative terms, painting a picture of a world that is both fleeting and eternal.

Overall, "The Errand" is a powerful and emotional work that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and it serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life.

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