'The Fury Of Flowers And Worms' by Anne Sexton

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Let the flowers make a journey
on Monday so that I can see
ten daisies in a blue vase
with perhaps one red ant
crawling to the gold center.
A bit of the field on my table,
close to the worms
who struggle blinding,
moving deep into their slime,
moving deep into God's abdomen,
moving like oil through water,
sliding through the good brown.

The daisies grow wild
like popcorn.
They are God's promise to the field.
How happy I am, daisies, to love you.
How happy you are to be loved
and found magical, like a secret
from the sluggish field.
If all the world picked daisies
wars would end, the common cold would stop,
unemployment would end, the monetary market
would hold steady and no money would float.

Listen world.
if you'd just take the time to pick
the white flowers, the penny heart,
all would be well.
They are so unexpected.
They are as good as salt.
If someone had brought them
to van Gogh's room daily
his ear would have stayed on.
I would like to think that no one would die anymore
if we all believed in daisies
but the worms know better, don't they?
They slide into the ear of a corpse
and listen to his great sigh.


Submitted by RW

Editor 1 Interpretation

#The Fury Of Flowers And Worms by Anne Sexton

As I sit down to write about Anne Sexton's "The Fury Of Flowers And Worms," I am filled with excitement and anticipation. It is said that Sexton was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, and her body of work has left a lasting impact on the world of literature. This poem, in particular, is a testament to Sexton's mastery of language, imagery, and emotion.

At its core, "The Fury Of Flowers And Worms" is a poem about the destructive power of nature. Sexton uses metaphor and symbolism to explore themes related to life, death, decay, and rebirth. The poem is divided into three distinct sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the natural world.

The first section of the poem is titled "The Garden." Here, Sexton paints a picture of a garden in full bloom, teeming with life and vitality. However, this idyllic scene is quickly shattered by the introduction of worms, which begin to devour the flowers and plants. Sexton writes:

"The worms have eaten everything. They have eaten the flowers and they have eaten the heart-shaped leaves of the plants. They have taken the roots as well and the cool black earth."

The imagery here is powerful and visceral. We can almost feel the worms wriggling through the soil, devouring everything in their path. Sexton uses this image to explore the idea of destruction and decay. The worms, in this context, represent the natural forces that can tear down even the most beautiful and vibrant things in life.

The second section of the poem is titled "The Graveyard." In this section, Sexton shifts her focus to death and decay. She describes a graveyard where the dead are buried, and where even the flowers that grow on the graves are subject to the same destructive forces as those in the garden. Sexton writes:

"The flowers in the graveyard are the same as the flowers in the garden except that they are not cut and arranged in a vase. They are left to do what they will do on their own. And so they grow wild and are eaten by the same worms that eat the garden."

Here, Sexton is drawing a parallel between the natural processes of decay and the inevitability of death. Even in death, the natural world continues to exert its influence. The flowers that grow on the graves are subject to the same fate as those in the garden - they are eventually consumed by worms and returned to the earth.

The final section of the poem is titled "The Resurrection." This section represents a turning point in the poem, where Sexton begins to explore the theme of rebirth and renewal. She writes:

"But even the worms cannot stop the resurrection. They cannot hold back the force that shatters the earth and sends it whirling into the sun. They cannot hold back the fury of flowers that will bloom again after the worms have eaten everything."

Here, Sexton is suggesting that even in the face of death and destruction, there is hope for renewal and rebirth. The image of flowers blooming again after being devoured by worms represents the cyclical nature of life and the idea that, even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of something new and beautiful emerging.

Overall, "The Fury Of Flowers And Worms" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores some of the most fundamental themes of human existence. Sexton's use of metaphor and symbolism is masterful, and her language is both beautiful and haunting. This is a poem that demands to be read and re-read, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move us, inspire us, and help us make sense of the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Fury of Flowers and Worms: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her confessional poetry that delves into the depths of human emotions and experiences. Her poem, The Fury of Flowers and Worms, is a classic example of her style and mastery of language. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this poem and understand why it is considered a masterpiece of modern poetry.

The Fury of Flowers and Worms is a poem that explores the themes of life, death, and rebirth. The poem begins with the image of a garden, where flowers and worms coexist. The flowers are described as "furious" and the worms as "busy." This contrast between the two sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where Sexton explores the idea of life and death in nature.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The garden is described as a place where "the flowers are furious" and "the worms are busy." This contrast between the two sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where Sexton explores the idea of life and death in nature. The flowers are described as "furious" because they are in the process of blooming and growing, which is a violent and intense process. The worms, on the other hand, are described as "busy" because they are working to break down the dead matter in the soil, which is a necessary process for new life to grow.

The second stanza of the poem explores the idea of death and decay. Sexton describes the worms as "eating the dead leaves" and "breaking down the dead matter." This imagery is a metaphor for the process of decay and decomposition that is necessary for new life to grow. The worms are doing the dirty work of breaking down the dead matter, which is a necessary process for new life to grow.

The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of rebirth. Sexton describes the flowers as "bursting forth" and "blooming." This imagery is a metaphor for the process of new life emerging from the decay and death of the old. The flowers are bursting forth with new life, which is a beautiful and powerful image.

The fourth stanza of the poem explores the idea of the cycle of life. Sexton describes the flowers as "dying" and "wilting." This imagery is a metaphor for the process of death and decay that is necessary for new life to grow. The flowers are dying and wilting, but their seeds are being scattered, which will lead to new life in the future.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of the poem together. Sexton describes the garden as a place where "life and death are one." This imagery is a metaphor for the cycle of life, where death and decay are necessary for new life to grow. The poem ends with the image of the flowers and worms coexisting in the garden, which is a powerful image of the interconnectedness of all life.

The imagery and symbolism in The Fury of Flowers and Worms are powerful and evocative. The contrast between the furious flowers and the busy worms sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where Sexton explores the themes of life, death, and rebirth. The imagery of the worms breaking down the dead matter and the flowers bursting forth with new life is a powerful metaphor for the cycle of life. The final image of the flowers and worms coexisting in the garden is a powerful image of the interconnectedness of all life.

In conclusion, The Fury of Flowers and Worms is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Anne Sexton's mastery of language and imagery is on full display in this poem, which explores the themes of life, death, and rebirth. The contrast between the furious flowers and the busy worms sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where Sexton explores the interconnectedness of all life. The imagery and symbolism in this poem are powerful and evocative, making it a classic example of Sexton's confessional poetry.

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