Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's poem "Us" is a vivid and sensual exploration of intimacy, power dynamics, and transformation within a relationship. Through rich, evocative imagery, Sexton captures the physical and emotional journey of two people who move from a place of vulnerability and submission to one of mutual empowerment and unity. The poem intertwines themes of love, identity, and transcendence, ultimately celebrating the transformative power of connection.

The poem begins with the speaker enveloped in "black fur and white fur," an image that suggests both warmth and entrapment. The furs could symbolize layers of protection, societal roles, or even the duality within the self, with black and white representing contrasting aspects of identity or experience. The partner's act of "undoing" these furs signifies the beginning of a process of unveiling and intimacy, where the speaker is gradually stripped of external defenses and placed "in gold light." This light, warm and luminous, represents the lover’s admiration and reverence, as well as the speaker’s emergence into a new, elevated state of being.

As the snow falls "outside the door in diagonal darts," the external world becomes distant, almost irrelevant, as the focus narrows to the intimate space shared by the lovers. The snow, described as "stars / in small calcium fragments," transforms a common winter scene into something magical and ethereal, setting the stage for the deep connection that unfolds within the room. This room, where the speaker and their lover reside, is metaphorically described as "that room that will bury us," acknowledging the inevitability of death and the finite nature of life. However, it is also "that room that will outlive us," suggesting that the bond formed here, the love and intimacy shared, transcends mortality.

The speaker’s act of drying the lover's feet "with a towel" is a gesture of humility and devotion, indicating a willingness to serve and care for the other. This act, rooted in a tradition of foot washing as a sign of respect and love, reflects the speaker's initial submission, feeling "like a slave." However, the dynamics shift dramatically when the lover calls the speaker "princess." This title elevates the speaker from a position of servitude to one of royalty, power, and honor. The transition from "slave" to "princess" underscores the mutual recognition and respect that defines their relationship, where roles and identities are fluid and ever-changing.

In response to being called "princess," the speaker undergoes a profound transformation: "I stood up in my gold skin." The "gold skin" represents a newfound sense of self, one that is empowered, radiant, and unburdened by previous constraints. The speaker describes "beating down the psalms" and "beating down the clothes," symbolizing the rejection of traditional, possibly oppressive structures—religious, societal, or personal—that once defined or confined them. This act of "beating down" suggests a forceful liberation, a reclaiming of autonomy and identity.

The imagery of undoing continues as the speaker recounts how "you undid the bridle / and you undid the reins / and I undid the buttons, / the bones, the confusions." These lines depict a mutual release from control and restraint, both physical and emotional. The "bridle" and "reins" suggest that the speaker has been held back or controlled, possibly by societal expectations or internalized limitations. The act of undoing these constraints is a powerful metaphor for the liberation that comes from true intimacy and understanding between partners.

The reference to "New England postcards" and "the January ten o'clock night" anchors the poem in a specific, tangible reality, yet these elements are also undone, suggesting that the lovers transcend the mundane aspects of their environment and existence. Their connection lifts them beyond the everyday, allowing them to "rise up like wheat, / acre after acre of gold." This simile likens the lovers to a vast, abundant field of wheat, a symbol of fertility, growth, and renewal. The imagery of "acre after acre" conveys a sense of expansiveness, as if their love and connection stretch endlessly, encompassing both the physical and the spiritual.

The final lines, "and we harvested, / we harvested," emphasize the culmination of their journey—an act of reaping the rewards of their love and intimacy. The repetition of "harvested" suggests fulfillment and abundance, as well as the cyclical nature of growth and renewal. The harvest symbolizes the realization and actualization of the connection they have nurtured, a moment of shared triumph and satisfaction.

"Us" by Anne Sexton is a powerful exploration of how love and intimacy can transform and elevate individuals within a relationship. Through rich, symbolic imagery and a deeply personal narrative, Sexton captures the process of moving from vulnerability to empowerment, from submission to mutual recognition, and from isolation to unity. The poem ultimately celebrates the power of love to liberate, uplift, and create something enduring and profound.

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