'Where It Was At Back Then' by Anne Sexton
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Husband,
last night I dreamt
they cut off your hands and feet.
Husband,
you whispered to me,
Now we are both incomplete.Husband,
I held all four
in my arms like sons and daughters.
Husband,
I bent slowly down
and washed them in magical waters.Husband,
I placed each one
where it belonged on you.
"A miracle,"
you said and we laughed
the laugh of the well-to-do.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Where It Was At Back Then by Anne Sexton
"Where It Was At Back Then" is a poem by American poet Anne Sexton. The poem was first published posthumously in 1976 in a collection titled "The Awful Rowing Toward God." Sexton, known for her confessional style, touches on themes of love, sex, and the complexities of relationships in this poem.
Structure and form
The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. The structure is broken into four stanzas, with varying lengths. In the first stanza, Sexton sets the scene, describing a "smoky club" where musicians are playing jazz. She uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the setting, writing, "the band has white shirts and / swinging ties and / the man over there is / smoking a cigarette that curls like / the smoke from a dead prophet."
The second stanza focuses on the speaker's feelings towards her lover. She describes how she feels when she is with him, saying, "And I'm like a little kid / who stands in front of the mirror / with the towel on his head / and says, 'This is the way you look / when you grow up.'" This imagery is poignant, as it highlights the speaker's vulnerability and how she feels when she is with her lover.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker acknowledges that her lover is not perfect and that he has a temper. She describes how he can be violent and how she has to "tip-toe" around him. This stanza is raw and honest, as Sexton is known for exploring the darker aspects of human nature in her poetry.
The final stanza is where the poem comes full circle. The speaker returns to the smoky club setting and acknowledges that even though her lover has flaws, she still loves him. She says, "I love you anyhow / in this smoky club / where it was at back then / and is still going on." This ending is bittersweet, as it suggests that even though the relationship may be complicated and difficult, the speaker is still willing to love her partner.
Themes
The main themes explored in "Where It Was At Back Then" are love, sex, and the complexities of relationships. Sexton delves into the emotional nuances of a romantic relationship, showing how it can be both beautiful and painful at the same time. The poem also touches on the theme of violence, as the speaker describes her lover's temper and violent tendencies. This theme is particularly interesting in the context of the 1960s and 1970s, when domestic violence was still largely considered a private matter and not something that should be discussed publicly.
Another theme that can be seen in the poem is that of time. The title "Where It Was At Back Then" suggests a sense of nostalgia or longing for the past. This theme is echoed throughout the poem, with mentions of "the good old days" and the idea that the smoky club setting is a place where things were once better. This theme is particularly interesting in the context of Sexton's life, as she struggled with mental illness and often felt trapped in the present.
Interpretation
"Where It Was At Back Then" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The use of vivid imagery and raw honesty creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The poem is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet, as she is able to convey deep emotions and complex ideas in just a few stanzas.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the societal pressures placed on women in the 1960s and 1970s. The speaker's acknowledgment of her lover's violent tendencies and her need to "tip-toe" around him suggests a sense of powerlessness. This theme is echoed in other poems by Sexton, such as "The Fury of Overshoes," where she writes, "I am tired of being a woman." This interpretation highlights the societal expectations placed on women to be submissive and accommodating in their relationships.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of Sexton's own struggles with mental illness. The theme of time, and the sense of longing for the past, can be seen as a reflection of Sexton's own struggles with depression and anxiety. The smoky club setting can be seen as a metaphor for a simpler time, before Sexton's struggles with mental illness became overwhelming.
Conclusion
"Where It Was At Back Then" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The use of vivid imagery and raw honesty creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The poem touches on themes of love, sex, violence, and the complexities of relationships, creating a nuanced and complex portrait of human emotion. Overall, "Where It Was At Back Then" is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her ability to convey deep emotions through her writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Where It Was At Back Then: An Analysis of Anne Sexton's Classic
Anne Sexton's Poetry Where It Was At Back Then is a classic poem that captures the essence of the 1960s and the counterculture movement. The poem is a reflection of the poet's experiences during that era, and it is a powerful commentary on the social and political issues of the time. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "We were wild then, and we knew it." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea that the speaker and her peers were part of a generation that was rebellious and unafraid to challenge the status quo. The use of the word "wild" is significant, as it suggests a sense of freedom and abandon that was characteristic of the counterculture movement.
The next few lines of the poem describe the poet's experiences during this time. She talks about going to poetry readings and listening to the "beat poets" of the era, such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. This reference to the beat poets is significant, as it highlights the influence that they had on the counterculture movement. The beat poets were known for their rejection of traditional values and their embrace of alternative lifestyles, and their work was a major inspiration for many young people during this time.
The poem then moves on to describe the social and political issues of the time. The poet talks about the Vietnam War and the protests that were taking place against it. She also mentions the civil rights movement and the struggle for equality that was taking place. These references to the social and political issues of the time are significant, as they show how the counterculture movement was not just about rebellion for its own sake, but was also a response to the injustices of the time.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The poet talks about "smoke-filled rooms" and "coffeehouses," which were common gathering places for the counterculture movement. These images evoke a sense of intimacy and community, as well as a sense of rebellion against the mainstream culture. The use of the word "beat" to describe the poets of the time is also significant, as it suggests a sense of rhythm and energy that was characteristic of the counterculture movement.
The language used in the poem is also notable. The poet uses a conversational tone throughout the poem, which makes it feel like a personal reflection on her experiences. She also uses colloquial language, such as "dig it" and "groovy," which were common slang terms of the time. This use of colloquial language helps to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy, as if the poet is speaking directly to the reader.
In conclusion, Poetry Where It Was At Back Then is a powerful commentary on the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The poem captures the sense of rebellion and freedom that was characteristic of the time, as well as the social and political issues that were driving the movement. The imagery and language used in the poem help to create a sense of intimacy and authenticity, and the conversational tone makes it feel like a personal reflection on the poet's experiences. Overall, Poetry Where It Was At Back Then is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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