'I Remember' by Anne Sexton

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By the first of August
the invisible beetles began
to snore and the grass was
as tough as hemp and was
no color--no more than
the sand was a color and
we had worn our bare feet
bare since the twentieth
of June and there were times
we forgot to wind up your
alarm clock and some nights
we took our gin warm and neat
from old jelly glasses while
the sun blew out of sight
like a red picture hat and
one day I tied my hair back
with a ribbon and you said
that I looked almost like
a puritan lady and what
I remember best is that
the door to your room was
the door to mine.

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Remember by Anne Sexton: A Poignant Journey Through Memory

Anne Sexton's I Remember is a powerful exploration of memory and the ways it shapes our lives. With its simple yet profound language and vivid imagery, the poem captures the essence of human experience and invites us to reflect on our own memories.

Background

Anne Sexton was an American poet known for her confessional poetry, which often dealt with themes of mental illness, trauma, and personal struggles. I Remember was first published in her collection of poems, Live or Die, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1967.

The poem is written in free verse, with no strict rhyme or meter, which allows Sexton to experiment with form and structure. This form also reflects the fragmented nature of memory and how it can appear disjointed and nonlinear.

Poem Analysis

The poem begins with the simple yet powerful line, "I remember." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a series of memories and reflections on the past. The repetition of this line also reinforces the idea that memory is a constant presence in our lives and that it shapes who we are.

The poem then moves on to a series of memories, ranging from the mundane to the profound. Sexton describes memories of childhood, such as playing with dolls and jumping rope, as well as memories of more significant events, such as the death of her father and her first sexual experience.

Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid imagery to bring her memories to life. For example, she describes her childhood home as a "yellow wooden house / that smelled like mold" and her father's death as "his heart, like a cup, fell over." These images not only make the memories more tangible but also add emotional depth to the poem.

As the poem progresses, Sexton's memories become more personal and intimate. She reflects on her struggles with mental illness and her relationships with her husband and children. One of the most poignant moments in the poem is when she describes holding her newborn daughter and feeling "that old / guilty fear go over me, the fear / that I am not enough for her."

The final lines of the poem bring the reader back to the present, with Sexton reflecting on how her memories have shaped her life. She writes, "I have done what I wanted to do / but I don't know if I have been / what I wanted to be." This final reflection captures the bittersweet nature of memory, as we are shaped by our past but are always striving to become something more.

Interpretation

At its core, I Remember is a meditation on the power of memory and the ways it shapes our lives. The poem invites us to reflect on our own memories and how they have influenced who we are today. It also reminds us that memory is a constant presence in our lives, even when we are not actively thinking about it.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its honesty and vulnerability. Sexton does not shy away from difficult or painful memories, such as the death of her father or her struggles with mental illness. Instead, she confronts them head-on, using poetry as a means of processing and expressing her emotions.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of identity and self-discovery. Throughout the poem, Sexton reflects on who she is and who she wants to be. This is particularly evident in the final lines of the poem, where she expresses uncertainty about whether she has lived up to her own expectations.

Finally, I Remember is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience. Through its vivid imagery and simple yet profound language, the poem paints a portrait of a life lived and the memories that shape it.

Conclusion

Anne Sexton's I Remember is a powerful and poignant exploration of memory and the ways it shapes our lives. With its vivid imagery and honest reflections, the poem invites us to reflect on our own memories and how they have influenced who we are today. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and remind us of the beauty and complexity of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry I Remember: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style of writing. Her works are often autobiographical and deal with themes of mental illness, family, and death. One of her most famous poems, Poetry I Remember, is a beautiful and haunting piece that captures the essence of her writing style.

The poem begins with the line, "I remember the night I was born." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a journey through Sexton's memories. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of her life.

The first stanza is a reflection on Sexton's childhood. She remembers playing with her sister in the yard, watching her mother cook, and listening to her father play the piano. These memories are tinged with sadness, as Sexton acknowledges that her childhood was not always happy. She writes, "I remember the crackle of the leaves / under my feet as I ran away / from my mother's voice."

The second stanza is a reflection on Sexton's adolescence. She remembers falling in love for the first time, feeling the weight of her own mortality, and struggling with her mental health. This stanza is particularly powerful, as Sexton writes about her experiences with depression and suicide. She writes, "I remember the pills, white and blue / and the empty dress hanging in my closet / and the nights I couldn't sleep."

The final stanza is a reflection on Sexton's adulthood. She remembers getting married, having children, and becoming a successful writer. However, these memories are also tinged with sadness, as Sexton acknowledges that her success came at a cost. She writes, "I remember the price I paid / for my success: the divorce, the breakdowns, / the hospital stays."

Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid imagery to bring her memories to life. She writes about the "crackle of the leaves" and the "empty dress hanging in my closet." These images are both haunting and beautiful, and they help to convey the complex emotions that Sexton is feeling.

One of the most striking aspects of Poetry I Remember is the way that Sexton uses repetition. The phrase "I remember" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. This repetition also emphasizes the importance of memory in Sexton's writing. She is not simply recounting events from her past; she is exploring the ways in which those events have shaped her as a person.

Another important aspect of the poem is the way that Sexton explores the relationship between memory and identity. She writes, "I remember the night I was born / and my father's face as he looked down / at his brand new daughter." This line suggests that our memories are an integral part of who we are. Our past experiences shape our present selves, and without those memories, we would be fundamentally different people.

Overall, Poetry I Remember is a masterpiece of confessional poetry. It is a deeply personal and emotional work that explores the complexities of memory, identity, and the human experience. Sexton's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and introspection make this poem a powerful and unforgettable piece of literature.

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