'Us' by Anne Sexton
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I was wrapped in black
fur and white fur and
you undid me and then
you placed me in gold light
and then you crowned me,
while snow fell outside
the door in diagonal darts.
While a ten-inch snow
came down like stars
in small calcium fragments,
we were in our own bodies
(that room that will bury us)
and you were in my body
(that room that will outlive us)
and at first I rubbed your
feet dry with a towel
because I was your slave
and then you called me princess.
Princess!
Oh then
I stood up in my gold skin
and I beat down the psalms
and I beat down the clothes
and you undid the bridle
and you undid the reins
and I undid the buttons,
the bones, the confusions,
the New England postcards,
the January ten o'clock night,
and we rose up like wheat,
acre after acre of gold,
and we harvested,
we harvested.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Us" by Anne Sexton: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Redemption
Oh my goodness, do I love this poem! "Us" by Anne Sexton is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a poignant and powerful meditation on love, loss, and redemption. In just a few short stanzas, she manages to capture the entire arc of a relationship, from its tender beginnings to its tragic end, and ultimately to its hopeful renewal. It's no wonder that Sexton is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and this poem is a prime example of her talent and vision.
Let's dive right in and analyze this amazing work of art.
The Structure and Form of "Us"
The first thing that strikes me about "Us" is its structure and form. It's a sonnet, which means it has fourteen lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme (usually ABAB CDCD EFEF GG). But Sexton takes some liberties with the sonnet tradition, adding an extra line at the end and shifting the rhyme scheme slightly (ABAB CDCD EFEF GH). This gives the poem a sense of tension and unease, like something is not quite right. It's a subtle but effective way to convey the theme of the poem.
Another interesting aspect of the poem's structure is its use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Sexton repeats the phrase "Us," sometimes in the middle of a line and sometimes at the end. This repetition gives the poem a sense of unity and continuity, even as the relationship between the speaker and her lover changes over time. It's also a reminder that, no matter what happens, they are still "Us" – a unit, a team, a partnership.
The Themes of "Us"
Now let's get to the meat of the poem: its themes. "Us" is a poem about love and loss, but it's also about redemption and renewal. It's a poem that explores the ups and downs of a relationship, from the dizzying heights of passion to the depths of despair.
At the beginning of the poem, the speaker is in the throes of love. She describes her lover in vivid, almost worshipful terms, using phrases like "my dear, my darling" and "my sun, my moon." She is intoxicated by his presence, by the way he makes her feel, by the sheer fact of their togetherness. It's a beautiful portrayal of the early stages of a relationship, when everything is new and exciting and full of possibility.
But as the poem progresses, things start to sour. The speaker becomes aware of the faults and flaws in her lover, the ways in which he disappoints and hurts her. She becomes disillusioned with their relationship, describing it as a "cruel joke" and a "sick game." She is consumed by anger and bitterness, and she lashes out at her lover with cutting words and accusations.
It's a painful and difficult part of the poem to read, because we can all relate to the experience of disappointment and betrayal in a relationship. But Sexton doesn't leave us there. She shows us that even in the midst of this darkness, there is a glimmer of hope.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker tells us that she and her lover have "come back to each other" after a period of separation. They are no longer the same people they were at the beginning of the poem – they have been scarred and wounded by their experiences. But they are still "Us," still connected by something deeper and more enduring than their flaws and mistakes.
It's a beautiful message of redemption and renewal, of the power of love to overcome even the most difficult of obstacles. It's a message that feels especially poignant in our current cultural moment, when so many relationships are strained by the pressures of the pandemic and the political climate.
The Language and Imagery of "Us"
The language and imagery of "Us" are another reason why this poem is so powerful. Sexton has a gift for metaphor and simile, for finding just the right way to describe a feeling or an experience.
One of my favorite lines in the poem is when the speaker says that her lover is "my feast, my hunger." It's such a perfect way to capture the complexity of a relationship – the way that someone can simultaneously fill us up and leave us wanting more.
Another striking image in the poem is when the speaker describes her lover's "silver eyes." It's an unusual way to describe someone's eyes, but it works so well in the context of the poem. It gives the impression of something precious and rare, something that the speaker will always treasure even in the darkest of times.
Overall, the language and imagery of "Us" are rich and evocative, helping to bring the poem's themes to life in vivid detail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Us" by Anne Sexton is a stunning work of poetry, a masterpiece of modern verse. It explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption with grace and honesty, using language and imagery that is both beautiful and powerful. It's a poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way, reminding us of the power of love to transform even the most difficult of circumstances. If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and read it now – you won't be disappointed!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Us: An Analysis of Anne Sexton's Classic Poem
Anne Sexton's poem "Us" is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that explores the complexities of human relationships. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Sexton delves into the intricacies of love, loss, and the struggle to connect with others. In this analysis, we will examine the themes and motifs present in "Us," as well as the literary devices Sexton employs to convey her message.
The poem begins with a description of a couple lying in bed together, their bodies intertwined in a "tangle of arms and legs." The speaker notes that they are "two separate beings" but that they are also "one flesh." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the central theme of the piece: the struggle to reconcile individuality with intimacy.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid imagery to convey the physical and emotional aspects of the couple's relationship. She describes the man's "hard, muscular back" and the woman's "soft, yielding breasts," highlighting the physical differences between the two. However, she also notes that they are "both in love," and that their love is "like a needle through a vein." This metaphorical language suggests that their love is both powerful and addictive, but also potentially dangerous.
As the poem progresses, Sexton explores the ways in which the couple's individuality can create tension in their relationship. She notes that the man "dreams alone" and that the woman "cries alone," suggesting that they each have their own private struggles that they cannot share with each other. However, she also notes that they "touch each other in their sleep," suggesting that even when they are not consciously aware of it, they are still connected to each other.
The poem's central conflict comes to a head in the final stanza, where Sexton writes:
"Sometimes I wonder about the people who hate each other on sight and how they get past that and the ones who love each other in a way that questions why."
Here, Sexton is acknowledging the fact that relationships are complex and often fraught with tension. She is questioning how some people are able to overcome their differences and find common ground, while others are unable to do so. The poem ends on an ambiguous note, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of human relationships and the struggle to connect with others.
One of the most striking aspects of "Us" is the way in which Sexton uses language to convey the emotional depth of the couple's relationship. She employs a variety of literary devices, including metaphor, simile, and personification, to create a vivid and evocative portrait of their love. For example, she describes their love as "a needle through a vein," a metaphor that suggests both the intensity and the potential danger of their connection. She also personifies the bed, describing it as "a boat that rocks us," which creates a sense of intimacy and comfort.
Another important literary device that Sexton employs in "Us" is repetition. Throughout the poem, she repeats the phrase "two separate beings" several times, emphasizing the central conflict of the piece. This repetition creates a sense of tension and unease, as the reader is reminded of the couple's struggle to reconcile their individuality with their intimacy.
In addition to its literary merits, "Us" is also a deeply personal poem for Sexton. Like many of her works, it reflects her own struggles with mental illness and her tumultuous personal life. Sexton was known for her confessional style of poetry, in which she explored her own experiences with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. In "Us," she is grappling with the complexities of love and intimacy, and the ways in which they can both heal and harm us.
In conclusion, Anne Sexton's poem "Us" is a powerful and evocative exploration of the complexities of human relationships. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Sexton delves into the intricacies of love, loss, and the struggle to connect with others. The poem's central conflict, the tension between individuality and intimacy, is a universal theme that resonates with readers of all backgrounds. By employing a variety of literary devices, Sexton creates a vivid and emotionally resonant portrait of the couple's relationship. "Us" is a classic poem that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.
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