Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's poem "The Kite" captures a moment of reflection and nostalgia, set against the backdrop of a summer beach in West Harwich, Massachusetts, between 1954 and 1959. The poem juxtaposes the serene, almost idyllic setting with a sense of longing and a subtle realization of the passage of time. Through her use of vivid imagery and introspective tone, Sexton explores themes of memory, transience, and the elusive nature of meaning in seemingly mundane moments.

The poem begins by situating the scene: "Here, in front of the summer hotel / the beach waits like an altar." This simile sets a tone of reverence and suggests that the beach is a sacred space, a place where moments are marked and remembered, much like ceremonies held at an altar. The beach, bathed in the "Atlantic noon" light, becomes a timeless setting, a place where the world is "stained in light," capturing the ephemeral beauty of the moment.

Sexton then shifts to a memory from five years earlier, recalling how "Ezio Pinza was flying a kite / for the children." This detail introduces a figure of gentle activity and perhaps wisdom—Ezio Pinza, an operatic bass-baritone, is depicted engaging in a simple, joyful act. The image of flying a kite, with its connotations of freedom and childhood innocence, contrasts with the more mundane or self-absorbed activities of the other beachgoers.

The poem describes the other characters on the beach: "The pleated lady / was still a nest of her knitting," "four pouchy fellows" drinking gin and tonic and trading money, and "the parasol girls" who are "sun-sitting / their lovely years." These individuals are caught up in their own worlds, seemingly indifferent to the passage of time or the significance of the scene around them. The kite flying above them goes unnoticed, a subtle symbol of something more profound that is being overlooked.

The line "No one thought / how precious it was, or even how funny / the festival seemed, square rigged in the air" conveys a sense of missed appreciation for the beauty and absurdity of the moment. The "festival" of kite flying, so light and carefree, contrasts with the more serious, almost mechanical activities of the adults. The beachgoers have "bought" the air, the moment, and the season, treating it as something they can control or own, rather than something to be cherished.

The speaker, however, is acutely aware of the significance of the moment, reflecting on the past five years spent "waiting / on this private stretch of summer land." There is a sense of longing, of trying to recapture or understand something from that earlier time. The speaker wonders why the memory of Ezio Pinza flying the kite stands out, suggesting that there was something different or special about that day.

The poem concludes with a note of introspection: "Maybe, after all, he knew something more / and was right." This final line hints at a deeper understanding that Ezio Pinza might have had—a recognition of the fleeting nature of life, the importance of simple joys, or the value of living in the moment. The kite, a seemingly insignificant object, becomes a metaphor for the elusive wisdom that the speaker now seeks to grasp.

In "The Kite," Anne Sexton masterfully captures the tension between the everyday and the profound, the transient and the eternal. The poem reflects on how easily we can overlook the beauty and significance of the present, only to recognize its value in hindsight. Through her evocative imagery and contemplative tone, Sexton invites the reader to consider the moments in their own lives that may seem ordinary but are, in fact, imbued with deeper meaning. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of being present, of noticing the small wonders in our midst, and of understanding that even the simplest acts—like flying a kite—can carry profound significance.

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