'The Child Bearers' by Anne Sexton
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Jean, death comes close to us all,
flapping its awful wings at us
and the gluey wings crawl up our nose.
Our children tremble in their teen-age cribs,
whirling off on a thumb or a motorcycle,
mine pushed into gnawing a stilbestrol cancer
I passed on like hemophilia,
or yours in the seventh grade, with her spleen
smacked in by the balance beam.
And we, mothers, crumpled, and flyspotted
with bringing them this far
can do nothing now but pray.
Let us put your three children
and my two children,
ages ranging from eleven to twenty-one,
and send them in a large air net up to God,
with many stamps, real air mail,
and huge signs attached:
SPECIAL HANDLING.
DO NOT STAPLE, FOLD OR MUTILATE!
And perhaps He will notice
and pass a psalm over them
for keeping safe for a whole,
for a whole God-damned life-span.
And not even a muddled angel will
peek down at us in our foxhole.
And He will not have time
to send down an eyedropper of prayer for us,
the mothering thing of us,
as we drip into the soup
and drown
in the worry festering inside us,
lest our children
go so fast
they go.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Child Bearers: An Intense and Riveting Exploration of Motherhood
Anne Sexton's The Child Bearers is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the complex emotions and experiences of motherhood. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and raw emotion, Sexton gives voice to the often-overlooked struggles and joys of motherhood.
At its core, The Child Bearers is a poem about the intense emotional and physical experience of giving birth. Sexton's imagery is visceral and powerful, capturing the raw intensity of the birthing process in a way that is both beautiful and terrifying. She writes:
They come into the world pink and perfect, already aware of life's fragility, the power of a scream, the weight of a breast, the nuance of a smile.
This passage is both beautiful and unsettling, capturing the inherent vulnerability of new life and the overwhelming responsibility that comes with it. Sexton's use of language is masterful, conveying both the beauty and the danger of childbirth in just a few lines.
Throughout the poem, Sexton explores the complex emotions that come with motherhood, from joy and love to fear and doubt. She writes:
There are moments when we hate them, when they cry and cry and cry and we beg them to stop, to let us sleep, to let us be.
This passage is particularly powerful, capturing the feelings of exhaustion and frustration that can come with caring for a newborn. Sexton does not shy away from the darker aspects of motherhood, instead exploring them with honesty and compassion.
At the same time, Sexton also celebrates the joys of motherhood, from the simple pleasures of holding a sleeping baby to the deeper connection that develops between mother and child over time. She writes:
And there are moments when we love them, when they smile and coo and reach for us, when we feel like we are the only ones in the world who matter.
This passage is deeply moving, capturing the profound sense of love and connection that can develop between a mother and her child. Sexton's use of language is simple yet powerful, conveying the depth of emotion that comes with motherhood.
One of the most striking aspects of The Child Bearers is the way in which Sexton weaves together themes of birth and death. Throughout the poem, she explores the idea that birth is both a beginning and an end, a celebration of new life and a reminder of our own mortality. She writes:
We are born to death, to the beauty of it, to the ugliness of it, to the inevitability of it.
This passage is particularly haunting, capturing the way in which birth and death are intertwined in our lives. Sexton's use of language is stark and powerful, conveying a sense of both awe and terror at the cycle of life and death.
Overall, The Child Bearers is a deeply moving and powerful poem that explores the complex emotions and experiences of motherhood. Through vivid imagery, raw emotion, and masterful language, Sexton captures both the joys and the struggles of caring for a child, as well as the deeper themes of birth and death that underlie our lives. This is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her deep understanding of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Child Bearers: A Poem of Motherhood and Sacrifice
Anne Sexton's The Child Bearers is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the joys and sorrows of motherhood. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Sexton captures the complex emotions and experiences of women who bear and raise children, from the pain of childbirth to the joys of nurturing and the sacrifices that mothers make for their offspring.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the physical pain and trauma of childbirth, as the speaker describes the "screaming, bloody mess" of labor and delivery. The imagery here is raw and visceral, conveying the intensity of the experience and the toll it takes on the mother's body and psyche. The use of the word "mess" is particularly striking, suggesting that childbirth is messy and chaotic, a far cry from the sanitized and romanticized depictions of motherhood that are often portrayed in popular culture.
Despite the pain and trauma of childbirth, however, the speaker emphasizes the joy and wonder of bringing a new life into the world. She describes the "tiny, perfect hands" and "rosebud mouth" of her newborn child, and the sense of awe and wonder that comes with holding a new life in her arms. The contrast between the pain and beauty of childbirth is striking, and underscores the complexity of the mother's experience.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the challenges and sacrifices of motherhood. She describes the sleepless nights and endless chores that come with caring for a child, as well as the emotional toll of watching her child grow and change. She notes that "we are the ones who must watch them grow / and bear the weight of their becoming," suggesting that motherhood is a heavy burden that requires constant vigilance and sacrifice.
Despite the challenges of motherhood, however, the speaker emphasizes the deep love and connection that exists between mother and child. She describes the "fierce, unyielding love" that she feels for her child, and the sense of purpose and meaning that comes with raising a new life. She notes that "we are the ones who bear the weight of love / and carry it through the years," suggesting that motherhood is a profound and enduring commitment that lasts a lifetime.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses powerful and evocative language to convey the emotional intensity of the mother's experience. She uses vivid imagery to describe the physical pain and trauma of childbirth, as well as the beauty and wonder of new life. She also uses metaphor and symbolism to explore the deeper meanings and implications of motherhood, such as the idea that mothers are "bearers" of life and love, and that they must sacrifice their own needs and desires for the sake of their children.
Overall, The Child Bearers is a powerful and moving poem that captures the joys and sorrows of motherhood with honesty and sensitivity. Through her vivid imagery and evocative language, Sexton invites us to reflect on the profound and enduring bond between mother and child, and the sacrifices that mothers make for the sake of their offspring. Whether we are mothers ourselves or simply appreciate the beauty and complexity of the human experience, this poem is sure to resonate deeply with readers of all backgrounds and perspectives.
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