'In Excelsis' by Anne Sexton
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It is half winter, half spring,
and Barbara and I are standing
confronting the ocean.
Its mouth is open very wide,
and it has dug up its green,
throwing it, throwing it at the shore.
You say it is angry.
I say it is like a kicked Madonna.
Its womb collapses, drunk with its fever.
We breathe in its fury.
I, the inlander,
am here with you for just a small space.
I am almost afraid,
so long gone from the sea.
I have seen her smooth as a cheek.
I have seen her easy,
doing her business,
lapping in.
I have seen her rolling her hoops of blue.
I have seen her tear the land off.
I have seen her drown me twice,
and yet not take me.
You tell me that as the green drains backward
it covers Britain,
but have you never stood on that shore
and seen it cover you?
We have come to worship,
the tongues of the surf are prayers,
and we vow,
the unspeakable vow.
Both silently.
Both differently.
I wish to enter her like a dream,
leaving my roots here on the beach
like a pan of knives.
And my past to unravel, with its knots and snarls,
and walk into ocean,
letting it explode over me
and outward, where I would drink the moon
and my clothes would slip away,
and I would sink into the great mother arms
I never had,
except here where the abyss
throws itself on the sand
blow by blow,
over and over,
and we stand on the shore
loving its pulse
as it swallows the stars,
and has since it all began
and will continue into oblivion,
past our knowing
and the wild toppling green that enters us today,
for a small time
in half winter, half spring.
Submitted by Emily
Editor 1 Interpretation
In Excelsis: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton's Poetic Artistry
Anne Sexton was an American poet who has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry with her idiosyncratic style and powerful imagery. Her works often deal with themes of mental illness, death, and sexuality, and she is known for her confessional poetry. One of her most captivating poems is "In Excelsis," which was published in her collection "Transformations" in 1971. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the intricate web of metaphors and symbols that Sexton weaves in "In Excelsis" and explore the poem's various layers of meaning.
At first glance, "In Excelsis" seems to be a simple retelling of the Nativity story, where the poet describes the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger. However, a closer inspection reveals that the poem is much more than that. The poem starts with the line, "Every woman adores a Fascist," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The reference to Fascism is not a literal one, but rather a metaphor for the patriarchal society that women have to live in.
The first stanza of the poem is a description of the scene of the Nativity, where the poet talks about the snow and the cold. The second stanza is where things get interesting. The poet describes the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus in a stable, with the animals looking on. However, Sexton's description of the birth is not a typical one. She writes, "She lay on a bundle of straw / and the child was God / but she didn't know it yet." This line is crucial as it sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The Virgin Mary is unaware of the divine nature of her child, which is a departure from the traditional Nativity story.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The poet writes, "He slept under the hill / and she could not find him / but loved him the more for that / he was asleep in the ashes." The image of the baby Jesus sleeping under a hill is a metaphor for his burial, foreshadowing his death. The fact that the Virgin Mary cannot find him adds to the sense of foreboding. The line "but loved him the more for that" is a paradox as it suggests that the more Jesus is hidden, the more the Virgin Mary loves him.
The fourth stanza is where we see the emergence of the overarching theme of the poem. The poet writes, "He walked in the dark / and she followed him / when he fell she stood / when she fell he lifted her up." This stanza is a metaphor for the relationship between men and women in a patriarchal society. The man, symbolized by Jesus, leads the way and the woman, symbolized by the Virgin Mary, follows. When the man falls, the woman stands, and when the woman falls, the man lifts her up. This stanza is a commentary on the power dynamic between men and women and the gender roles that are enforced in society.
The fifth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The poet writes, "He came to the door / in his dirty shirt / and asked the Virgin in / she saw at once that he was ridiculous / but he had a chariot / and she asked 'Where are the horses?'" This stanza is a metaphor for the second coming of Christ, where he comes to judge the living and the dead. The fact that he comes in a dirty shirt is a deliberate choice by the poet to depict the fallen nature of man. The Virgin Mary's response is a commentary on the human condition. She sees through the façade of the man and recognizes that he is ridiculous, but she is still attracted to the power that he represents.
The final stanza is where the poem comes full circle. The poet writes, "The snow is deep on the ground / Always the light falls /Softly down on the hair of my belovèd." This stanza is a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life. The snow on the ground represents death, and the light falling on the hair of the poet's beloved represents life. The fact that the light falls softly adds to the sense of melancholy that permeates the poem.
"In Excelsis" is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton's poetic artistry. The poem is a subtle commentary on the power dynamic between men and women and the gender roles that are enforced in society. Sexton's use of metaphors and symbols is masterful, and the poem is a testament to her skill as a poet. The fact that the poem is a retelling of the Nativity story adds to its power as it connects the timeless story to contemporary issues. In conclusion, "In Excelsis" is a poem that deserves to be read and reread, as it reveals new layers of meaning with each reading.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
In Excelsis: A Poem of Triumph and Defiance
Anne Sexton's "In Excelsis" is a poem that speaks of triumph and defiance in the face of adversity. It is a poem that celebrates the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring her victory over her oppressors. She says, "I have won against them, / I have won the great victory." This victory is not a physical one, but rather a triumph of the spirit. The speaker has overcome the forces that sought to hold her down and has emerged victorious. This theme of triumph over adversity is a recurring one throughout the poem.
The imagery used in the poem is powerful and evocative. The speaker describes herself as a "lioness" and a "tigress," both symbols of strength and power. She also uses the image of a bird to describe herself, saying, "I am the bird that flies / in the face of the storm." This image of a bird flying in the face of a storm is a powerful one, suggesting that the speaker is not afraid of the challenges that lie ahead.
The language used in the poem is also significant. The speaker uses strong, declarative statements to assert her dominance over her oppressors. She says, "I am the one who has triumphed / over the forces of darkness." This language is confident and assertive, suggesting that the speaker is not afraid to stand up for herself and assert her power.
The poem also contains a number of biblical references. The title, "In Excelsis," is a Latin phrase that means "in the highest." This phrase is often used in Christian hymns and is associated with the angels who announced the birth of Jesus. The poem also contains references to the book of Revelation, with the speaker declaring, "I am the woman clothed with the sun / and the moon under my feet." This image is taken from Revelation 12:1, which describes a woman who gives birth to a child and is pursued by a dragon.
The use of biblical imagery in the poem is significant because it suggests that the speaker sees herself as part of a larger spiritual struggle. She is not just fighting against her oppressors, but against the forces of darkness that seek to hold her down. This spiritual dimension adds depth and complexity to the poem, suggesting that the speaker's victory is not just a personal one, but a victory for all those who struggle against oppression.
The poem also contains a number of references to nature. The speaker describes herself as a lioness and a tigress, both symbols of the natural world. She also uses the image of a bird flying in the face of a storm, suggesting a connection to the natural world. This connection to nature is significant because it suggests that the speaker sees herself as part of a larger ecosystem. She is not just an individual fighting against her oppressors, but a part of a larger natural world that is struggling to survive.
The poem ends with the speaker declaring her victory over her oppressors once again. She says, "I have won against them, / I have won the great victory." This repetition of the opening lines of the poem suggests that the speaker's victory is complete. She has overcome the forces that sought to hold her down and has emerged victorious.
Overall, "In Excelsis" is a powerful poem that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. The use of biblical imagery and references to nature add depth and complexity to the poem, suggesting that the speaker's victory is not just a personal one, but a victory for all those who struggle against oppression. The language used in the poem is confident and assertive, suggesting that the speaker is not afraid to stand up for herself and assert her power. This is a poem of triumph and defiance, a celebration of the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.
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