Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's "The Rowing Endeth" is a contemplative and whimsical exploration of the relationship between the self and the divine, expressed through the metaphor of a journey that culminates in a playful encounter with God. The poem, filled with imagery that blends the sacred with the ordinary, examines themes of struggle, surrender, and the joy of unexpected outcomes.

The poem begins with the speaker "mooring [her] rowboat / at the dock of the island called God." This opening line establishes the central metaphor of the poem—the speaker's spiritual journey, depicted as a rowing expedition that ends at a divine destination. The act of mooring the boat signifies the end of a long and arduous journey, suggesting that the speaker has reached a place of rest or resolution. The island, named God, serves as a tangible representation of the divine, a place where the speaker can finally confront or commune with a higher power.

The dock, described as "made in the shape of a fish," is rich with symbolism. The fish, often associated with Christianity, hints at the religious or spiritual nature of the encounter. The presence of "many boats moored / at many different docks" suggests that this journey is not unique to the speaker; others, too, have made their way to this divine island, each finding their own path to God.

The speaker reflects on the physical toll of the journey: "blisters that broke and healed / and broke and healed," and "salt sticking to my face and arms." These lines evoke the idea of perseverance and the cycles of pain and healing that accompany any significant undertaking. The repeated breaking and healing of the blisters symbolize the ongoing struggles and recoveries that are part of the human experience, particularly in the pursuit of spiritual understanding or peace.

Upon reaching the island, the speaker encounters God, who invites her to engage in a game of poker. This unexpected and somewhat irreverent depiction of God as a poker player adds a playful tone to the poem, contrasting with the serious and solemn imagery that often accompanies religious themes. The game becomes a metaphor for the unpredictability of life and the divine will, where rules and outcomes are not always as they seem.

The speaker, confident in her "royal straight flush," initially believes she has won, only to discover that God holds "five aces." The wild card, which the speaker had not noticed in her awe of God, allows Him to surpass even the highest possible hand. This twist in the game reflects the idea that the divine operates beyond human understanding or expectations. The wild card represents the element of the unknown or the miraculous—an unexpected factor that can change everything in an instant.

God's laughter, described as "rolling like a hoop out of His mouth / and into mine," symbolizes a deep, shared joy and understanding between the divine and the speaker. This laughter is not one of mockery but of mutual delight in the absurdity and unpredictability of existence. It is a "Rejoice-Chorus" that acknowledges both the speaker's effort and God's ultimate control over the game.

As the laughter spreads—first to the speaker, then to the "fishy dock," the sea, the island, and even "the Absurd"—the poem suggests a cosmic harmony, where all elements of existence are united in a moment of joyous recognition. The speaker's final acknowledgment of love for the "Dearest dealer" is a declaration of acceptance and gratitude for the wild card—"that untamable, eternal, gut-driven ha-ha / and lucky love." This love is rooted in the recognition that life, with all its unpredictability and challenges, is ultimately a gift, governed by a divine will that is both playful and profound.

"The Rowing Endeth" is a rich and multi-layered poem that explores the dynamics of faith, the nature of the divine, and the human experience of striving and surrender. Through the metaphor of a poker game, Anne Sexton captures the complexity of the relationship between the self and God, celebrating the unexpected twists and turns that define the spiritual journey. The poem's blend of reverence and humor invites readers to reflect on the nature of their own journeys, the challenges they face, and the moments of grace that come, often when least expected

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...