'Cigarettes And Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women' by Anne Sexton
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(from a song)
Perhaps I was born kneeling,
born coughing on the long winter,
born expecting the kiss of mercy,
born with a passion for quickness
and yet, as things progressed,
I learned early about the stockade
or taken out, the fume of the enema.
By two or three I learned not to kneel,
not to expect, to plant my fires underground
where none but the dolls, perfect and awful,
could be whispered to or laid down to die.
Now that I have written many words,
and let out so many loves, for so many,
and been altogether what I always was—
a woman of excess, of zeal and greed,
I find the effort useless.
Do I not look in the mirror,
these days,
and see a drunken rat avert her eyes?
Do I not feel the hunger so acutely
that I would rather die than look
into its face?
I kneel once more,
in case mercy should come
in the nick of time.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cigarettes And Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women by Anne Sexton
If you're looking for a poem that takes you on a wild ride through the ups and downs of life, look no further than Anne Sexton's "Cigarettes And Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women." This classic poem is a rollercoaster of emotions, from the wild abandon of youth to the regret and weariness of middle age.
The Power of Repetition
One of the most striking things about this poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women" is repeated several times throughout the poem, almost like a mantra. This repetition gives the poem a sense of rhythm and momentum, like the beat of a drum.
But the repetition also serves a deeper purpose. By repeating this phrase, Sexton emphasizes the themes of addiction and excess that run throughout the poem. Cigarettes, whiskey, and wild women are all vices that can consume a person's life, leaving them empty and alone. And yet, the repetition also hints at the allure of these vices, the way they can make us feel alive and free, if only for a little while.
The Wild Abandon of Youth
The opening lines of the poem capture the wild abandon of youth, the feeling of invincibility that comes with being young and carefree. The speaker talks about "running with the wolves" and "howling at the moon," reveling in the freedom of youth.
But even in these early lines, there's a sense of darkness lurking beneath the surface. The speaker talks about "burning bridges behind me" and "dancing on the edge of a dangerous moon." There's a sense that this wild abandon comes at a cost, that there are consequences to living life on the edge.
The Price of Freedom
As the poem progresses, the speaker's tone becomes more and more reflective. She looks back on her youth with a mixture of nostalgia and regret, recognizing the price she paid for her freedom.
The repetition of "cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women" takes on a different tone in these later stanzas. It's no longer a mantra of liberation, but a reminder of the addiction and excess that consumed her youth. The speaker talks about "the carousing and the tankards and the wine," all of which have left her feeling empty and alone.
The Search for Meaning
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker turns her attention to the search for meaning in life. She talks about "reading the graffiti written in the bathroom stalls" and "searching for God in the halls of Time." There's a sense of weariness in her voice, a feeling that she's been searching for something her whole life and hasn't found it yet.
But even in this final stanza, there's a glimmer of hope. The speaker talks about "the stars that shine like cigarettes," suggesting that even in the darkest moments of life, there is beauty to be found. And the final lines of the poem, with their repetition of "wild, wild, wild," suggest that even in our most broken and imperfect moments, there is still a spark of wildness, a hint of the freedom and abandon we once knew.
Conclusion
"Cigarettes And Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women" is a powerful poem that captures the highs and lows of life. Anne Sexton's use of repetition gives the poem a sense of momentum and rhythm, while also emphasizing its themes of addiction and excess. The poem's exploration of youth, freedom, and the search for meaning is both universal and deeply personal, making it a classic of modern poetry that still resonates today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Cigarettes And Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women: An Analysis of Anne Sexton's Classic Poem
Anne Sexton was a poet who wrote about the human condition, often exploring themes of mental illness, sexuality, and death. Her poem "Cigarettes And Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women" is a classic example of her work, and it has been analyzed and celebrated by literary critics and fans alike.
At first glance, the poem seems to be a celebration of the wild and reckless lifestyle of the speaker, who indulges in cigarettes, whiskey, and wild women. However, a closer examination reveals a deeper layer of meaning, as the poem explores the speaker's feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring her love for cigarettes, whiskey, and wild women. She describes the pleasure she derives from smoking and drinking, and the excitement she feels when she is with other women who share her love of adventure. The language is vivid and sensual, with phrases like "the smoke curls around my body like a lover" and "the whiskey burns down my throat like a lover's kiss."
However, as the poem progresses, the tone shifts, and the speaker reveals her true feelings of loneliness and despair. She describes how she is "a stranger in this town" and how she longs for someone to "take me in their arms and hold me tight." The wild women she once celebrated now seem to be a source of pain, as she realizes that they are just as lonely and lost as she is.
The poem's structure reinforces this sense of isolation, as it is divided into two distinct sections. The first section is a celebration of the wild and reckless lifestyle, with short, punchy lines that convey a sense of excitement and energy. The second section is longer and more introspective, with longer lines and a more contemplative tone.
The use of repetition is also significant in the poem, as the phrase "cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women" is repeated several times throughout. This repetition serves to reinforce the speaker's obsession with these things, but it also highlights the emptiness and futility of her lifestyle.
The poem's title is also significant, as it serves as a kind of refrain that echoes throughout the poem. The repetition of the phrase "cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women" in the title and throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, but it also serves to emphasize the speaker's sense of longing and desperation.
Overall, "Cigarettes And Whiskey And Wild, Wild Women" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for connection. Anne Sexton's use of vivid language, repetition, and structure creates a sense of tension and complexity that draws the reader in and leaves a lasting impression.
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