'Crossing The Atlantic' by Anne Sexton
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We sail out of season into on oyster-gray wind,
over a terrible hardness.
Where Dickens crossed with mal de mer
in twenty weeks or twenty days
I cross toward him in five.
Wraped in robes--
not like Caesar but like liver with bacon--
I rest on the stern
burning my mouth with a wind-hot ash,
watching my ship
bypass the swells
as easily as an old woman reads a palm.
I think; as I look North, that a field of mules
lay down to die.
The ship is 27 hours out.
I have entered her.
She might be a whale,
sleeping 2000 and ship's company,
the last 40¢ martini
and steel staterooms where night goes on forever.
Being inside them is, I think,
the way one would dig into a planet
and forget the word light.
I have walked cities,
miles of mole alleys with carpets.
Inside I have been ten girls who speak French.
They languish everywhere like bedsheets.
Oh my Atlantic of the cracked shores,
those blemished gates of Rockport and Boothbay,
those harbor smells like the innards of animals!
Old childish Queen, where did you go,
you bayer at wharfs and Victorian houses?
I have read each page of my mother's voyage.
I have read each page of her mother's voyage.
I have learned their words as they learned Dickens'.
I have swallowed these words like bullets.
But I have forgotten the last guest--terror.
Unlike them, I cannot toss in the cabin
as in childbirth.
Now always leaving me in the West
is the wake,
a ragged bridal veil, unexplained,
seductive, always rushing down the stairs,
never detained, never enough.
The ship goes on
as though nothing else were happening.
Generation after generation,
I go her way.
She will run East, knot by knot, over an old bloodstream,
stripping it clear,
each hour ripping it, pounding, pounding,
forcing through as through a virgin.
Oh she is so quick!
This dead street never stops!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Crossing The Atlantic by Anne Sexton
"Crossing The Atlantic" is a beautiful poem that was written by Anne Sexton, an American poet who lived from 1928 until 1974. Sexton was known for her confessional style of poetry, in which she wrote about her personal life experiences, including her struggles with mental illness and her relationships with her family and friends.
In this poem, Sexton describes the experience of crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a ship. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the journey.
Stanza 1
The first stanza sets the scene for the poem. Sexton describes the ship as it sets sail from New York harbor. She uses vivid imagery to describe the scene, painting a picture of the ship as it pulls away from the dock and begins its journey across the ocean.
The use of the word "sluggish" to describe the ship is particularly effective, as it suggests that the journey will be slow and perhaps even arduous. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which will be a meditation on the journey itself and the emotions that it evokes.
Stanza 2
The second stanza focuses on the passengers on the ship. Sexton describes them as "the anxious and the bored." This suggests that there are two kinds of people on the ship: those who are excited about the journey and those who are not.
Sexton goes on to describe the different activities that the passengers engage in during the voyage. Some read books or listen to music, while others play cards or simply watch the sea go by. This creates a sense of the ship as a microcosm of society, with people from all walks of life coming together for a common purpose.
Stanza 3
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. Sexton describes the storm that the ship encounters as it crosses the ocean. She uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the danger and chaos of the storm.
The use of the word "chaos" is particularly effective here, as it suggests that the storm is not simply a physical phenomenon but also a psychological one. The storm represents the turmoil and uncertainty of life itself, and the passengers must navigate their way through it in order to reach their destination.
Stanza 4
The fourth stanza is a reflection on the journey itself. Sexton describes how the passengers, once they have weathered the storm, are able to appreciate the beauty of the ocean and the sky. She uses metaphors to describe the sea as a "shimmering blue dress" and the sky as a "vast and glittering cloak."
These metaphors create a sense of wonder and awe, suggesting that the journey has transformed the passengers in some way. They have come through the storm and emerged on the other side with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and majesty of the natural world.
Stanza 5
The final stanza is a reflection on the end of the journey. Sexton describes the ship as it approaches its destination, and the passengers as they prepare to disembark. She uses the word "jubilant" to describe the mood on the ship, suggesting that the passengers are excited and happy to have reached their destination.
However, Sexton also acknowledges that there is a sense of sadness that comes with the end of the journey. She describes the passengers as "wistful" and "regretful," suggesting that they are reluctant to leave the ship and the experience behind.
Analysis
"Crossing The Atlantic" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the emotions and experiences of a journey across the ocean. Sexton uses vivid imagery and metaphors to create a sense of the physical and psychological journey that the passengers undertake.
The poem can be read as a metaphor for life itself, with the ship representing the journey that we all undertake from birth to death. The storm represents the challenges and obstacles that we must overcome, while the beauty of the ocean and the sky represents the joys and wonders of life.
Overall, "Crossing The Atlantic" is a moving and insightful poem that captures the essence of the human experience. Sexton's masterful use of language and imagery makes it a true work of art, and one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Crossing The Atlantic: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Anne Sexton's Crossing The Atlantic is a powerful and evocative poem that takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Sexton explores the themes of identity, isolation, and the search for meaning in life.
The poem begins with the speaker on a ship, crossing the Atlantic. She describes the vast expanse of the ocean, the endless horizon, and the feeling of being alone in the middle of nowhere. The speaker is clearly isolated, cut off from the rest of the world, and this sense of isolation is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
As the journey continues, the speaker reflects on her life and her identity. She describes herself as a "woman of substance," someone who has lived a full and meaningful life. However, she also acknowledges that she is "a woman of no importance," someone who is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This duality of identity is a central theme of the poem, as the speaker struggles to reconcile her sense of self with the reality of her place in the world.
The speaker also reflects on the nature of life itself, describing it as a "journey without maps." This metaphorical journey is one that we all must take, but it is one that is fraught with uncertainty and danger. The speaker acknowledges that there are no guarantees in life, and that we must all navigate our own paths as best we can.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid imagery to bring the journey to life. She describes the ship as a "floating city," with its own unique culture and community. She also describes the ocean as a "wild beast," a powerful and unpredictable force that can be both beautiful and terrifying.
As the journey nears its end, the speaker reflects on the lessons she has learned. She realizes that life is not about achieving greatness or fame, but about finding meaning and purpose in the small moments of everyday life. She also acknowledges that we are all connected, that our lives are intertwined in ways we may not even realize.
In the final lines of the poem, the speaker describes the ship as a "floating coffin," a reminder of our own mortality. However, she also sees it as a symbol of hope, a vessel that carries us through the storms of life and brings us safely to our destination.
Overall, Crossing The Atlantic is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of identity, isolation, and the search for meaning in life. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Anne Sexton takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery, reminding us that life is a journey without maps, but one that is worth taking nonetheless.
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