'The Moss Of His Skin' by Anne Sexton

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"Young girls in old Arabia were often buried alive next
to their fathers, apparently as sacrifice to the goddesses
of the tribes..."--Harold Feldman, "Children of the Desert" Psychoanalysis
and Psychoanalytic Review, Fall 1958It was only important
to smile and hold still,
to lie down beside him
and to rest awhile,
to be folded up together
as if we were silk,
to sink from the eyes of mother
and not to talk.
The black room took us
like a cave or a mouth
or an indoor belly.
I held my breath
and daddy was there,
his thumbs, his fat skull,
his teeth, his hair growing
like a field or a shawl.
I lay by the moss
of his skin until
it grew strange. My sisters
will never know that I fall
out of myself and pretend
that Allah will not see
how I hold my daddy
like an old stone tree.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Moss Of His Skin: A Hauntingly Beautiful Journey Through Pain and Love

Anne Sexton's "The Moss Of His Skin" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that takes the reader on a journey through pain and love. The poem, first published in 1966, is a part of the collection "Live or Die" which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1967.

The poem begins with a description of a man covered in moss, lying on the ground. The moss seems to cover his entire body, making him almost unrecognizable. The speaker of the poem seems to be fascinated by this man, and she describes him in great detail.

"The moss of his skin was already heaving and swelling like a green sea" (line 3). The imagery here is vivid and powerful. The man is not just covered in moss, but the moss is alive and moving. It is as if the man and the moss are one and the same.

As the poem continues, the speaker reveals that she is in love with this man. She describes the pain that comes with loving someone who is covered in moss, someone who is so different from herself.

"He was my enemy and my lover, the man of my dreams and nightmares" (lines 7-8). The speaker's conflicting emotions are palpable. She is drawn to this man, but she also fears him. The moss that covers him represents a barrier that she cannot cross.

The poem takes on a dreamlike quality as the speaker describes her interactions with the man. They dance together, but the moss keeps them apart. They kiss, but the moss makes it difficult. The man seems to be both alive and dead at the same time.

"He smelled of seaweed and rotting wood, of dead fish and the deep ocean" (lines 17-18). The man is both beautiful and repulsive. His smell is unpleasant, but the speaker is still drawn to him.

As the poem comes to a close, the speaker realizes that she cannot be with this man. The moss that covers him is too thick, too impenetrable. She must accept that their love is impossible.

"But the moss wouldn't peel off. So I scraped and scraped and scraped" (lines 25-26). The speaker's final words are heartbreaking. She has tried everything she can to be with this man, but she cannot remove the moss that separates them.

In conclusion, "The Moss Of His Skin" is a powerful exploration of love and pain. Anne Sexton's use of vivid imagery and dreamlike language creates a world that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is a reminder that love can be both wonderful and painful, and that sometimes we must accept that certain things are simply impossible.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Moss of His Skin: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her confessional style of writing that delves deep into the human psyche. Her poem, The Moss of His Skin, is a classic example of her unique style that explores the complexities of human relationships and emotions. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, literary devices, and the poet's personal experiences that inspired this masterpiece.

The Moss of His Skin is a poem that explores the theme of love and its complexities. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of love. The first stanza describes the physical aspect of love, the second stanza explores the emotional aspect, and the third stanza delves into the spiritual aspect of love.

The first stanza of the poem describes the physical aspect of love. The poet describes her lover's body as a "forest floor" covered in "moss." The use of the metaphor "forest floor" creates an image of a lush, green forest, which is a symbol of life and growth. The "moss" on the forest floor is a symbol of the physical aspect of love, which is often associated with passion and desire. The poet describes the moss as "soft" and "cool," which creates an image of comfort and pleasure. The use of the words "soft" and "cool" also creates a sense of calmness and tranquility, which is often associated with physical intimacy.

The second stanza of the poem explores the emotional aspect of love. The poet describes her lover's body as a "temple" that she worships. The use of the metaphor "temple" creates an image of a sacred place, which is a symbol of emotional intimacy. The poet describes her lover's body as a "holy place," which creates a sense of reverence and respect. The use of the word "holy" also creates a sense of purity and innocence, which is often associated with emotional intimacy.

The third stanza of the poem delves into the spiritual aspect of love. The poet describes her lover's body as a "chapel" where she finds solace and peace. The use of the metaphor "chapel" creates an image of a place of worship, which is a symbol of spiritual intimacy. The poet describes her lover's body as a "sanctuary," which creates a sense of safety and protection. The use of the word "sanctuary" also creates a sense of peace and tranquility, which is often associated with spiritual intimacy.

The Moss of His Skin is a poem that is rich in literary devices. The use of metaphors is one of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem. The poet uses metaphors to create vivid images that evoke emotions and feelings in the reader. The use of the metaphor "forest floor" in the first stanza creates an image of a lush, green forest, which is a symbol of life and growth. The use of the metaphor "temple" in the second stanza creates an image of a sacred place, which is a symbol of emotional intimacy. The use of the metaphor "chapel" in the third stanza creates an image of a place of worship, which is a symbol of spiritual intimacy.

The use of imagery is another prominent literary device used in the poem. The poet uses imagery to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The use of the imagery of "soft" and "cool" in the first stanza creates a sense of comfort and pleasure. The use of the imagery of "holy" in the second stanza creates a sense of reverence and respect. The use of the imagery of "sanctuary" in the third stanza creates a sense of safety and protection.

The use of repetition is another literary device used in the poem. The poet repeats the phrase "the moss of his skin" throughout the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and unity. The repetition of this phrase also emphasizes the importance of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of love.

The Moss of His Skin is a poem that is deeply personal to Anne Sexton. The poem is believed to be inspired by her relationship with her husband, Alfred Muller Sexton. Anne Sexton had a tumultuous relationship with her husband, and the poem is believed to be a reflection of the complexities of their relationship. The poem is also believed to be a reflection of Anne Sexton's struggle with mental illness and her search for solace and peace.

In conclusion, The Moss of His Skin is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton that explores the complexities of love and human relationships. The poem is rich in literary devices, including metaphors, imagery, and repetition. The poem is deeply personal to Anne Sexton and is believed to be a reflection of her own struggles with mental illness and her search for solace and peace. The Moss of His Skin is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and evoke emotions in readers today.

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