'Rowing' by Anne Sexton
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A story, a story!
(Let it go. Let it come.)
I was stamped out like a Plymouth fender
into this world.
First came the crib
with its glacial bars.
Then dolls
and the devotion to their plactic mouths.
Then there was school,
the little straight rows of chairs,
blotting my name over and over,
but undersea all the time,
a stranger whose elbows wouldn't work.
Then there was life
with its cruel houses
and people who seldom touched-
though touch is all-
but I grew,
like a pig in a trenchcoat I grew,
and then there were many strange apparitions,
the nagging rain, the sun turning into poison
and all of that, saws working through my heart,
but I grew, I grew,
and God was there like an island I had not rowed to,
still ignorant of Him, my arms, and my legs worked,
and I grew, I grew,
I wore rubies and bought tomatoes
and now, in my middle age,
about nineteen in the head I'd say,
I am rowing, I am rowing
though the oarlocks stick and are rusty
and the sea blinks and rolls
like a worried eyebal,
but I am rowing, I am rowing,
though the wind pushes me back
and I know that that island will not be perfect,
it will have the flaws of life,
the absurdities of the dinner table,
but there will be a door
and I will open it
and I will get rid of the rat insdie me,
the gnawing pestilential rat.
God will take it with his two hands
and embrace it.
As the African says:
This is my tale which I have told,
if it be sweet, if it be not sweet,
take somewhere else and let some return to me.
This story ends with me still rowing.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Rowing: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton
Have you ever read a poem that has touched your soul and made you reflect on your own life experiences? "Rowing" is one such masterpiece of Anne Sexton that has touched the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. This poem is not just a mere collection of words; it is a reflection of the poet's own life experiences, struggles, and triumphs.
Background to the Poem
Anne Sexton was a well-known American poet, who was born in 1928 in Newton, Massachusetts. She had a difficult life, having suffered from mental illness and depression for most of her life. However, she used her experiences to create some of the most powerful and insightful poems of her time. She wrote about her personal struggles with suicide, alcoholism, and other mental health issues, which earned her a reputation as a confessional poet.
"Rowing" was first published in 1962, in Sexton's collection of poems, "To Bedlam and Part Way Back." It is one of her most famous and well-loved poems, and it has been translated into several languages. It is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful, and it has resonated with readers for decades.
Structure and Form of the Poem
"Rowing" is a free verse poem, with no clear rhyme or meter. It is written in six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is not divided into sections or parts, but it has a clear narrative flow. The language of the poem is simple, but the images and metaphors are powerful.
The poem begins with the speaker rowing on a river, and it ends with the same image. The river is a symbol of life, and the act of rowing represents the struggle to stay afloat and keep moving forward. The repetition of the image of the river throughout the poem creates a sense of continuity and consistency.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem is a reflection on life and the struggles that we face. The speaker is rowing on a river, which is a metaphor for life. The river is described as "black water," which suggests that life can be dark and uncertain at times. The speaker, who is also the rower, is struggling to stay afloat and keep moving forward. This struggle is a metaphor for the struggles that we all face in life.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of death. The speaker sees "the black cloud" of death approaching, but she is not afraid. She continues to row, even though she knows that death is inevitable. This is a powerful metaphor for the human condition. We all know that we will die, but we continue to live and struggle anyway.
The third stanza is a reflection on the speaker's past. She thinks about the people and events that have shaped her life. She acknowledges that some of these experiences have been painful, but she also recognizes that they have made her who she is. The line "I have been rowing all my life" suggests that the struggles of the past have prepared her for the struggles of the present.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker contemplates the future. She wonders what lies ahead and whether she will be able to overcome the challenges that she will face. She understands that the future is uncertain, but she is determined to keep rowing.
The fifth stanza is a reflection on the present moment. The speaker is in the middle of the river, and she feels both alone and connected to everything around her. She is aware of the beauty of the world, but she is also aware of its darkness. This stanza is a powerful reminder that life is complex and that we must embrace both its beauty and its darkness.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the opening image of the speaker rowing on the river. The poem ends with the line "And I keep on rowing." This line is a powerful message of hope and determination. The speaker will continue to row, even though life is uncertain and challenging.
Themes of the Poem
"Rowing" is a poem that explores several themes, including the struggle of life, the inevitability of death, the importance of the past, the uncertainty of the future, and the beauty and darkness of the present moment. The poem is a powerful reminder that life is complex and that we must embrace all of its aspects, even when they are painful or difficult.
Conclusion
"Rowing" is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton that has touched the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. It is a poem that explores the struggles of life and the beauty and darkness of the human condition. The poem is a powerful reminder that we must embrace all aspects of life, even when they are painful or difficult. The poem's structure and language are simple, but its images and metaphors are powerful. "Rowing" is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for decades to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Rowing by Anne Sexton is a classic poem that explores the theme of life's journey and the struggles that come with it. The poem is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of human existence and the challenges we face as we navigate through life.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a boat that is rowing on a river. The boat is a metaphor for life, and the river represents the journey that we all take. The speaker describes the boat as being "long and sleek" and "cutting through the water like a knife." This imagery creates a sense of movement and momentum, suggesting that life is always moving forward, and we must keep up with it.
As the boat moves down the river, the speaker describes the scenery around them. They see "green trees" and "blue sky," which represent the beauty and wonder of life. However, the speaker also sees "rocks and rapids," which symbolize the obstacles and challenges that we face in life. The speaker acknowledges that these obstacles can be difficult to navigate, but they are an essential part of the journey.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes the boat hitting a "rocky ledge." This event represents a significant setback or failure in life. The speaker describes the boat as being "tossed and turned" and "battered and bruised." This imagery creates a sense of chaos and turmoil, suggesting that setbacks can be painful and challenging to overcome.
Despite the setback, the speaker does not give up. They continue to row the boat, even though it is damaged and broken. This resilience and determination are essential themes in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that life is not always easy, but we must keep moving forward, even when things are tough.
The poem ends with the speaker describing the boat as being "battered and bruised, but still afloat." This imagery creates a sense of hope and resilience, suggesting that even though life can be challenging, we can still persevere and overcome our obstacles.
Overall, Rowing by Anne Sexton is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of life's journey and the struggles that come with it. The poem uses powerful imagery and metaphors to convey its message, creating a sense of movement and momentum that captures the essence of human existence. The poem is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit, reminding us that even though life can be tough, we can still persevere and overcome our obstacles.
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