'Barefoot' by Anne Sexton
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Loving me with my shows off
means loving my long brown legs,
sweet dears, as good as spoons;
and my feet, those two children
let out to play naked. Intricate nubs,
my toes. No longer bound.
And what's more, see toenails and
all ten stages, root by root.
All spirited and wild, this little
piggy went to market and this little piggy
stayed. Long brown legs and long brown toes.
Further up, my darling, the woman
is calling her secrets, little houses,
little tongues that tell you.
There is no one else but us
in this house on the land spit.
The sea wears a bell in its navel.
And I'm your barefoot wench for a
whole week. Do you care for salami?
No. You'd rather not have a scotch?
No. You don't really drink. You do
drink me. The gulls kill fish,
crying out like three-year-olds.
The surf's a narcotic, calling out,
I am, I am, I am
all night long. Barefoot,
I drum up and down your back.
In the morning I run from door to door
of the cabin playing chase me.
Now you grab me by the ankles.
Now you work your way up the legs
and come to pierce me at my hunger mark
Editor 1 Interpretation
Barefoot by Anne Sexton
If you haven't read Anne Sexton's poetry before, prepare to be shaken up. Barefoot is one of her most famous poems, and it's easy to see why. From the first line, Sexton's voice is raw, personal, and unapologetic. She's not afraid to look at the darker aspects of life, love, and femininity, and her honesty is both discomfiting and exhilarating.
Form and Structure
Barefoot is a free verse poem, which means that it doesn't follow a strict form or meter. Instead, Sexton allows her words to flow freely and organically, like a stream of consciousness. This gives the poem a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if the speaker is confiding in us directly.
The poem is divided into six stanzas of varying length, which gives it a sense of structure and balance. Each stanza focuses on a different aspect of the speaker's experience, from her childhood memories to her adult relationships. However, there is also a sense of continuity and connection between the stanzas, as if they are all part of a larger story.
Themes and Motifs
One of the most striking themes in Barefoot is the idea of femininity and the female body. Sexton doesn't shy away from the physical realities of being a woman, from the blood and sweat of childbirth to the vulnerability of being barefoot. However, she also celebrates the power and resilience of the female body, even in the face of pain and trauma.
Another important motif in the poem is the idea of transformation. The speaker reflects on her past selves, from the innocent child playing hopscotch to the jaded adult who has been hurt and betrayed. However, she also imagines a future for herself, one where she can heal and grow beyond her past experiences.
Analysis
Let's take a closer look at some of the key moments in the poem and what they might mean.
Stanza 1: Childhood Memories
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on her childhood, specifically her memories of playing hopscotch barefoot. This seemingly innocent image takes on a deeper significance as the poem unfolds, as we see how the speaker's experiences of vulnerability and pain have shaped her relationship with her own body.
Stanza 2: The Female Body
In this stanza, the speaker directly addresses the female body and all its messy, bloody realities. She talks about childbirth and the way it can make a woman feel both powerful and helpless. She also touches on the idea of menstruation, which is often seen as shameful or taboo in our society. However, the speaker refuses to be ashamed of her body or its functions, instead embracing them as part of her identity.
Stanza 3: Betrayal
This stanza takes a darker turn as the speaker reflects on past relationships and the pain they have caused her. She talks about being hurt and betrayed by men who were supposed to love and protect her, and how this has left her feeling vulnerable and exposed. However, she also acknowledges that this pain has made her stronger and more resilient in the long run.
Stanza 4: The Power of Love
In this stanza, the speaker reflects on the transformative power of love, even in the face of pain and trauma. She talks about how love can heal and transform us, even when we feel broken and hopeless. However, she also acknowledges that love can be fleeting and fragile, and that we must be careful not to lose ourselves in it.
Stanza 5: Future Possibilities
This stanza is all about hope and possibility. The speaker imagines a future for herself where she can heal and grow beyond her past experiences. She talks about the idea of "starting over" and how it can be both terrifying and liberating. This stanza serves as a reminder that even when we feel trapped in our past, there is always the potential for change and renewal.
Stanza 6: Embracing Vulnerability
The poem ends with the speaker once again embracing her vulnerability and the idea of being barefoot. She talks about how being vulnerable can be a source of strength, and how it allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. She also acknowledges that vulnerability can be scary and uncomfortable, but that it's worth it in the end.
Final Thoughts
Anne Sexton's Barefoot is a powerful and intimate exploration of femininity, pain, and transformation. It's a poem that challenges us to embrace our vulnerability and our bodies, even in the face of trauma and heartbreak. It's a poem that reminds us of the power of love and the potential for growth and renewal. And most importantly, it's a poem that speaks directly to our hearts and our experiences as human beings.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Barefoot by Anne Sexton is a classic poem that explores the theme of vulnerability and the human desire for connection. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human condition, and it speaks to the heart of what it means to be alive.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a moment in which she is walking barefoot on the grass. She describes the sensation of the grass beneath her feet, and the feeling of being connected to the earth. This moment of connection with nature is a powerful image that sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the idea of vulnerability. She describes the feeling of being exposed and unprotected, and the fear that comes with it. She speaks of the vulnerability of the human heart, and the way in which it can be wounded by the world around us.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to reflect on the human desire for connection. She speaks of the way in which we long to be seen and understood by others, and the way in which we seek out connection with others in order to feel less alone.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the speaker standing barefoot in the rain. She describes the feeling of the rain on her skin, and the way in which it washes away her fears and insecurities. This image is a beautiful metaphor for the way in which connection with others can help to heal our wounds and make us feel less vulnerable.
Overall, Barefoot is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It explores the themes of vulnerability, connection, and the human desire for understanding and acceptance. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves great poetry.
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