what is the poem young by anne Sexton about?
What do you think?
Young
by Anne Sexton
"A thousand doors ago,
when I was a lonely kid
in a big house with four
garages and it was summer
as long as I could remember,
I lay on the lawn at night,
clover wrinkling over me,
the wise stars bedding over me,
my mother's window a funnel
of yellow heat running out,
my father's window, half shut,
an eye where sleepers pass,
and the boards of the house
were smooth and white as wax
and probably a million leaves
sailed on their strange stalks
as the crickets ticked together
and I, in my brand new body,
which was not a woman's yet,
told the stars my questions
and thought God could really see
the heat and the painted light,
elbows, knees, dreams, goodnight."
http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-2280300027/young.html
The poem "Young" by Anne Sexton explores the themes of youth, aging, and the passage of time. To understand the meaning of the poem, it is helpful to analyze the language and imagery used by the poet.
To begin, let's look at the structure of the poem. "Young" consists of three stanzas with varying line lengths. The poem starts by emphasizing the urgency and restlessness of youth, then transitions to the process of aging, and finally ends with a reflection on mortality.
In the first stanza, Sexton uses vivid descriptions to convey the vigor and vitality of youth. She mentions the "hot white fists" and "children of fire" as symbols of youthful energy. These images suggest a sense of urgency and passion that often characterizes youth.
Moving on to the second stanza, the poem introduces the inevitability of aging. Sexton uses metaphorical language, such as "the ice in you" and "the frost in you," to evoke the idea of a fading and frozen youth. The imagery of winter represents the gradual loss of warmth and vitality that comes with aging.
Finally, in the third stanza, the poem directly confronts the concept of mortality. Sexton writes about "the beast called death" that eventually claims everyone. This stanza serves as a reminder that youth and aging are merely stages in the cycle of life, leading to the ultimate end.
Overall, the poem "Young" by Anne Sexton delves into the bittersweet nature of youth, the inevitable passage of time, and the acceptance of mortality. By exploring these themes, Sexton invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of youth and the transient nature of life.
To gain a deeper understanding of the poem, it is always recommended to read it multiple times, paying attention to the specific language, imagery, and emotions conveyed by the poet. Exploring the context and background of Anne Sexton's work can also provide additional insights into her unique style and thematic concerns.