'Going Gone' by Anne Sexton

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Over stone walls and barns,
miles from the black-eyed Susans,
over circus tents and moon rockets
you are going, going.
You who have inhabited me
in the deepest and most broken place,
are going, going.
An old woman calls up to you
from her deathbed deep in sores,
asking, "What do you keep of her?"
She is the crone in the fables.
She is the fool at the supper
and you, sir, are the traveler.
Although you are in a hurry
you stop to open a small basket
and under layers of petticoats
you show her the tiger-striped eyes
that you have lately plucked,
you show her specialty, the lips,
those two small bundles,
you show her the two hands
that grip her fiercely,
one being mine, one being yours.
Torn right off at the wrist bone
when you started in your
impossible going, gone.
Then you place the basket
in the old woman's hollow lap
and as a last act she fondles
these artifacts like a child's head
and murmurs, "Precious. Precious."
And you are glad you have given
them to this one for she too
is making a trip.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Going Gone by Anne Sexton: A Deconstruction of Life and Death

As I read Going Gone by Anne Sexton, I cannot help but be amazed at the depth and complexity of the poem. It is a work of art that evokes a range of emotions and thoughts, making the reader ponder over the meaning of life and death. Sexton's use of language is exquisite, and her ability to delve into dark and uncomfortable topics is unparalleled. Throughout the poem, she crafts a narrative that explores the nature of human existence and the inevitability of death.

The Opening Stanza: A Prelude to Death

The opening stanza of the poem sets the tone for what is to come. Sexton begins by describing a scene that is both beautiful and eerie. She writes:

The river is moving.
The blackbird must be flying.

This imagery creates a sense of movement and urgency. It is as if something is about to happen, but we are not quite sure what. The use of the word "must" in the second line suggests that the blackbird is compelled to move, perhaps by some unseen force. This idea of being compelled to move is echoed later in the poem when Sexton writes, "We are going because we must."

The opening stanza also establishes a sense of foreboding. The river is described as being "dark" and "cold," which are both ominous adjectives. The blackbird is a symbol of death in many cultures, and its presence adds to the sense of unease.

The Second Stanza: The Journey Begins

In the second stanza, Sexton introduces the first-person point of view. She writes:

I am rowing.
I am rowing, though the wind pushes me back.

This shift in perspective is significant because it makes the poem more personal. We are no longer observers, but participants in the journey. The use of the word "rowing" suggests effort and perseverance, and the fact that the wind is pushing the speaker back creates a sense of struggle.

The second stanza also introduces the theme of time. The speaker says, "I am rowing towards a clean horizon," which implies that there is a destination. The use of the word "clean" suggests purity or clarity, and the horizon is a symbol of the future. However, the speaker also acknowledges that "the years have passed like swifts." Time is a constant presence in the poem, reminding us that life is fleeting and that death is inevitable.

The Third Stanza: The Journey Continues

In the third stanza, the speaker encounters a group of people who are also rowing. She writes:

We are all rowing the same way.
The boats are thin wood.
Our paddles are light.
The water is dark.

The use of the word "we" creates a sense of community and shared experience. The fact that the boats are made of "thin wood" and the paddles are "light" suggests that the journey is not easy, but the people are resourceful and determined.

The third stanza also introduces the idea of death as a destination. The speaker says, "We are going to the same place," which implies that they are all heading towards death. The use of the word "going" instead of "rowing" emphasizes this idea of a journey towards an inevitable end.

The Fourth Stanza: The Arrival

In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes the arrival at their destination. She writes:

We have arrived at the place where the river ends,
and there are no more mirrors.

The use of the word "arrived" creates a sense of finality. The fact that they have reached "the place where the river ends" suggests that they have reached the end of their journey. The absence of mirrors is significant because mirrors are often used as symbols of self-reflection. The lack of mirrors suggests that there is nothing left to reflect on or learn.

The fourth stanza also introduces the theme of loss. The speaker says, "We have lost our reflections," which implies that they have lost a part of themselves. This loss is further emphasized in the next stanza when the speaker says, "We have lost our loves."

The Fifth Stanza: Loss and Regret

In the fifth stanza, the speaker reflects on the things that have been lost. She writes:

We are without covers.
We are without sleep.
We are without kisses.
We are without arms.

The repetition of "we are without" creates a sense of emptiness and loss. The fact that the list includes things like sleep, kisses, and arms suggests that the people have lost not only their loved ones but also the basic comforts of life.

The fifth stanza also introduces the theme of regret. The speaker says, "We have lost our chances," which implies that they have missed out on opportunities. This sense of regret is echoed in the next stanza when the speaker says, "We have lost our chances for a new life."

The Sixth Stanza: Acceptance and Resignation

In the sixth stanza, the speaker comes to a realization. She writes:

We are without hope.
We are without hurt.
We are without hurt.
We are without pain.

The repetition of "we are without" creates a sense of resignation. The fact that "hope" is the first thing mentioned suggests that it is the most important. The absence of pain, hurt, and fear suggests that the people have accepted their fate and are no longer struggling against it.

The sixth stanza also introduces the idea of rebirth. The speaker says, "We are going because we must," which implies that there is no choice. However, she also says, "We are going to be born again," which suggests that there is a possibility of renewal or regeneration.

The Seventh Stanza: The Final Farewell

In the final stanza, the speaker says goodbye. She writes:

Goodbye to the loves we had.
Goodbye to the chances we missed.
Goodbye to the hurried deadlines.
Goodbye to our friends.

The repetition of "goodbye" creates a sense of finality. The fact that the things being said goodbye to include "loves we had" and "chances we missed" emphasizes the theme of loss and regret. The reference to "hurried deadlines" suggests that the people are leaving behind the pressures and demands of everyday life.

The final stanza also introduces the idea of release. The speaker says, "We are going to be released," which suggests that there is a sense of freedom or liberation in death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Going Gone by Anne Sexton is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, loss, and regret. Sexton's use of language is masterful, and her ability to create vivid imagery is unparalleled. Throughout the poem, she crafts a narrative that is both haunting and beautiful, reminding us that death is an inevitable part of life. The poem leaves us with a sense of acceptance and resignation, but also with a glimmer of hope for rebirth and release.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Going Gone: A Masterpiece by Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and raw, emotional poetry. Her poem "Poetry Going Gone" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of her unique style and explores the complex relationship between the poet and her craft.

At first glance, "Poetry Going Gone" appears to be a simple poem about the act of writing poetry. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is much more than that. It is a meditation on the nature of creativity, the struggle to find inspiration, and the fear of losing one's artistic voice.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the act of writing poetry as a "dance" between the poet and her muse. The poet is the "dancer," while the muse is the "music." This metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the act of writing poetry is a collaborative effort between the poet and her inspiration.

However, the poem quickly takes a darker turn as the speaker describes the muse as "a fickle lover" who can disappear at any moment. This line is significant because it highlights the precarious nature of the creative process. Inspiration can be fleeting, and the poet must be ready to capture it at a moment's notice.

The next stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker describes the fear of losing one's creative voice. She says, "I fear the day when poetry will go / and I'll stand staring at a blank page / like a man with no face." This line is a poignant reminder that the act of writing poetry is not just a hobby or a profession, but an integral part of the poet's identity.

The fear of losing one's creative voice is a common theme in Sexton's work, and it is something that many artists can relate to. The act of creating is a deeply personal and vulnerable process, and the thought of losing that ability can be terrifying.

The poem then takes a more hopeful turn as the speaker describes the joy of finding inspiration. She says, "But then there are days when the muse comes / like a lover who knows what you need." This line is significant because it suggests that inspiration is not always a fickle lover. Sometimes, it can be a reliable and supportive partner.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "And I dance with her, and I dance with her / and we dance and dance until the morning comes." This line is significant because it suggests that the act of writing poetry is not just a solitary endeavor, but a joyful and collaborative one.

In conclusion, "Poetry Going Gone" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Anne Sexton's unique style and explores the complex relationship between the poet and her craft. The poem is a meditation on the nature of creativity, the struggle to find inspiration, and the fear of losing one's artistic voice. It is a powerful reminder that the act of creating is not just a hobby or a profession, but an integral part of the artist's identity.

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