'For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach' by Anne Sexton

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In his tenth July some instinct
taught him to arm the waiting wave,
a giant where its mouth hung open.
He rode on the lip that buoyed him there
and buckled him under. The beach was strung
with children paddling their ages in,
under the glare od noon chipping
its light out. He stood up, anonymous
and straight among them, between
their sand pails and nursery crafts.
The breakers cartwheeled in and over
to puddle their toes and test their perfect
skin. He was my brother, my small
Johnny brother, almost ten. We flopped
down upon a towel to grind the sand
under us and watched the Atlantic sea
move fire, like night sparklers;
and lost our weight in the festival
season. He dreamed, he said, to be
a man designed like a balanced wave...
how someday he would wait, giant
and straight.
Johnny, your dream moves summers
inside my mind.
He was tall and twenty that July,
but there was no balance to help;
only the shells came straight and even.
This was the first beach of assault;
the odor of death hung in the air
like rotting potatoes, the junkyard
of landing craft waited open and rusting.
The bodies were strung out as if they were
still reaching for each other, where they lay
to blacken, to burst through their perfect
skin. And Johnny Pole was one of them.
He gave in like a small wave, a sudden
hole in his belly and the years all gone
where the Pacific noon chipped its light out.
Like a bean bag, outflung, head loose
and anonymous, he lay. Did the sea move fire
for its battle season? Does he lie there
forever, where his rifle waits, giant
and straight?...I think you die again
and live again,
Johnny, each summer that moves inside
my mind.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach: A Critical Analysis

If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Anne Sexton. This American poet, who lived from 1928 to 1974, was known for her deeply confessional and often darkly humorous poetry about mental illness, motherhood, and her own struggles with addiction. In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at one of Sexton's most famous poems, "For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach."

Summary of the Poem

"At high tide he lived" begins the first stanza of "For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach," immediately setting the scene for this haunting and melancholy poem. The titular character, Johnny Pole, is described as living in a "raft of sticks and broken planks" at the edge of the sea, where he is constantly buffeted by the waves. Despite his precarious existence, Johnny Pole remains defiant and proud, refusing to be defeated by the forces of nature.

The poem continues with vivid descriptions of Johnny Pole's life on the beach, including his interactions with the other inhabitants of the shore, such as the "crab who sidled sideways from the rocks" and the "fisherman who mended his nets." Sexton's language is poetic and evocative throughout, conjuring up images of the sea and the creatures that live within it.

As the poem progresses, however, it becomes clear that Johnny Pole's existence is not idyllic. He is described as "dreaming of a woman's breasts and a sailor's knife," suggesting a deep longing for something beyond the harsh reality of his life on the beach. The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as Sexton describes Johnny Pole lying on the shore, "skinny as a wishbone" and "waiting for the tide to turn."

Analysis of the Poem

On the surface, "For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach" is a simple and elegiac poem about a man living on the edge of the sea. However, a closer examination of the poem reveals deeper layers of meaning and symbolism.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Sexton's descriptions of the sea and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative, but they also serve to underscore the themes of the poem. The sea is a powerful and uncontrollable force, constantly threatening to overwhelm Johnny Pole and his makeshift home. This can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles of human existence, where we are all at the mercy of forces beyond our control.

Similarly, the various creatures that populate the shore serve to highlight the isolation and loneliness of Johnny Pole's existence. The crab who sidles sideways from the rocks and the fisherman who mends his nets are both described as being "far away," emphasizing the distance between Johnny Pole and the rest of humanity.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of longing and unfulfilled desire. Johnny Pole is described as dreaming of a woman's breasts and a sailor's knife, suggesting a deep yearning for love and adventure. This longing is contrasted with the harsh reality of his existence on the beach, where he is constantly in danger and cut off from the rest of the world.

Finally, the poem can be seen as a meditation on the fragility of human life. Johnny Pole is described as being "skinny as a wishbone" and "waiting for the tide to turn," suggesting that his time on the beach is limited. This is a reminder that all human life is temporary and that we must make the most of the time we have.

Interpretation of the Poem

So what does "For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach" mean? Ultimately, the poem is a powerful meditation on the human condition. It reminds us that we are all vulnerable and that life is often harsh and unforgiving. However, it also suggests that there is beauty and poetry to be found in even the most difficult of circumstances.

The character of Johnny Pole can be seen as a symbol of human resilience and defiance in the face of adversity. Despite his precarious existence on the beach, he remains proud and unbroken, refusing to be defeated by the forces of nature. This is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the possibility of redemption.

At the same time, however, the poem is also a critique of a society that allows people like Johnny Pole to exist on the fringes. Sexton's use of language and imagery suggests that Johnny Pole is a forgotten and marginalized figure, cut off from the rest of humanity. This can be read as a commentary on the way that society often neglects or ignores those who are struggling or marginalized.

Overall, "For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach" is a powerful and evocative poem that combines beautiful language with deep themes of human struggle and resilience. It is a reminder that even in the most difficult of times, there is always the possibility of beauty and grace.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her confessional style of writing that delves deep into the human psyche. Her poem, "Poetry For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach," is a masterpiece that showcases her ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a forgotten beach, where the speaker, presumably Sexton herself, is standing alone. The imagery is powerful, with the "gray waves" crashing against the shore and the "gray gulls" circling overhead. The use of the color gray sets the tone for the poem, suggesting a sense of melancholy and desolation.

As the speaker looks out at the sea, she sees a man walking towards her. This man, Johnny Pole, is described as a "stranger" who is "lost in his own world." The speaker observes him closely, noting his "tangled hair" and "ragged clothes." She is intrigued by him, and as he approaches her, she begins to write poetry for him.

The act of writing poetry for a stranger on a forgotten beach is a powerful metaphor for the human experience. It suggests that we are all strangers in this world, lost in our own thoughts and emotions. The act of writing poetry is a way to connect with others, to bridge the gap between our inner worlds and the outer world.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the forgotten beach and the arrival of Johnny Pole. The second stanza is where the speaker begins to write poetry for him, describing the world around them in vivid detail. The third stanza is a reflection on the experience, with the speaker acknowledging that the poetry she wrote for Johnny Pole was really for herself.

The use of repetition is a powerful literary device in the poem. The phrase "gray waves" is repeated several times, emphasizing the desolation of the beach and the sense of isolation felt by the speaker. The repetition of the phrase "I write" is also significant, highlighting the act of writing poetry as a way to connect with others and express oneself.

The imagery in the poem is rich and evocative. The "gray waves" and "gray gulls" create a sense of bleakness and despair, while the "tangled hair" and "ragged clothes" of Johnny Pole suggest a sense of disarray and chaos. The use of sensory details, such as the sound of the waves and the smell of the salt air, creates a vivid picture of the scene.

The theme of isolation and loneliness is central to the poem. The forgotten beach is a symbol of the speaker's own sense of isolation, while Johnny Pole represents the stranger who enters our lives and reminds us of our own humanity. The act of writing poetry for him is a way for the speaker to connect with him and with herself, to bridge the gap between the inner and outer worlds.

The poem is also a reflection on the power of poetry itself. The act of writing poetry is a way to express oneself and connect with others, to create a sense of community and shared experience. The speaker acknowledges that the poetry she wrote for Johnny Pole was really for herself, suggesting that the act of writing poetry is a way to explore one's own emotions and experiences.

In conclusion, "Poetry For Johnny Pole On The Forgotten Beach" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of isolation, loneliness, and the power of poetry. Anne Sexton's use of imagery, repetition, and sensory details creates a vivid picture of the scene, while the structure of the poem emphasizes the act of writing poetry as a way to connect with others and express oneself. This poem is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

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