Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s "The Big Boots of Pain" is a profound exploration of suffering—both physical and existential—and the human struggle to endure it. The poem examines the different forms of pain, from the immediate and bodily to the deep-seated emotional wounds that accumulate over a lifetime. Through her signature rawness and dark wit, Sexton delves into the ways pain infiltrates our lives, how it grows, and how we cope with its relentless presence.

The poem opens with a mention of "certain potions / needled in by the clock," likely referring to medication or treatments meant to alleviate physical pain. Sexton immediately contrasts this with a more insidious kind of suffering, one that begins "in the crib / with its bars" or "with your first breath." This early introduction of pain hints at the inevitability of suffering from the moment of birth, suggesting that life itself is intertwined with the experience of pain. The planets "drill / your future into you" from the start, marking a person’s fate with both joy and suffering. Here, Sexton reflects on the deterministic aspects of life, where external forces shape our experiences, often beyond our control.

The poem’s central metaphor, "one teaspoon of pain," illustrates how small, seemingly bearable doses of suffering accumulate over time. This pain "drops downward to the past" and mixes with the cumulative pain of "a decade's quart" and "a lifetime's ocean," creating an overwhelming and vast sea of anguish. This imagery powerfully conveys how pain is not isolated to a single moment but rather builds and deepens, connecting past wounds with present suffering. Sexton captures the cyclical and magnifying nature of pain, where "a sea pest's sting" can turn into "the shark's neat biting off / of a leg"—a metaphor for how minor hurts can grow into overwhelming traumas, exacerbated by memory and emotional resonance.

Sexton’s description of pain "kicking the heart / with pain's big boots" is visceral and evocative, suggesting an almost physical assault on the body and soul. This pain courses through the body "like a motorcycle racer," a relentless and aggressive force that leaves the sufferer both physically and emotionally battered. Despite this, Sexton acknowledges the resilience of the human spirit: "Yet one does get out of bed / and start over, plunge into the day / and put on a hopeful look." This act of rising each day, despite the burden of pain, reflects the determination to continue living and seeking connection, even when faced with the possibility of further hurt.

The poem also touches on the isolation that pain can bring. Sexton writes about the tendency to keep this suffering internalized, shared only with "the typewriter keys / who tell no one until they get brave / and crawl off onto the printed page." This speaks to the solitary nature of pain, where the sufferer may feel unable or unwilling to share their burdens with others, turning instead to writing as an outlet. This act of confession to the typewriter reflects both the therapeutic and isolating aspects of writing—where the pain is expressed, yet remains largely private until it is published or revealed.

Sexton’s humor, albeit dark, comes through in lines like "DECEASED keeps getting stamped in red over the word HOPE," a stark image of hope being continually squashed by the harsh realities of life. This juxtaposition of hope and despair is central to the poem, illustrating the constant push and pull between the desire to believe in a better future and the persistent presence of suffering.

As the poem progresses, Sexton expresses weariness with the constant cycle of pain and hope. She questions the intentions of fate or the "planets" that determined her life, particularly reflecting on her birthdate, "November 9th, 1928," as if searching for some cosmic explanation for her suffering. The imagery becomes increasingly chaotic—pillows of belief are "ripped away," laughter is interrupted by "dog shit," and silence, void of music, leaves her feeling like a "cracked orphan." These images underscore the unpredictability and cruelty of life, where moments of comfort and joy are often abruptly shattered.

Despite the grim tone, the poem ends on a note of cautious optimism. Sexton entertains the possibility that "the pain and its multiplying teaspoon" might be "a medicine / that will cure the soul / of its greed for love / next Thursday." This closing thought suggests that perhaps pain, in its endless accumulation, serves a purpose—possibly to temper our desires, to teach us to live with less attachment, or to prepare us for some future peace.

"The Big Boots of Pain" is a complex meditation on the nature of suffering, the ways in which it shapes us, and the resilience required to endure it. Sexton’s use of vivid imagery and metaphor captures the multifaceted experience of pain, from its physical manifestations to its deep emotional roots. The poem reflects on the inevitability of suffering and the small, yet significant, ways in which we continue to live, hope, and connect despite it. Through her exploration, Sexton leaves the reader with a sense of the relentless, yet strangely hopeful, human spirit that persists even in the face of overwhelming pain.

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