Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "Welcome Morning" is a celebration of the simple, often overlooked joys of daily life. In this poem, Sexton turns her attention to the mundane rituals of the morning, elevating them to acts of reverence and gratitude. Through her detailed and personal depiction of these morning tasks, Sexton invites the reader to recognize the sacredness in everyday moments, suggesting that divinity is not confined to grand gestures or religious ceremonies but is present in the most ordinary aspects of life.

The poem begins with the assertion, "There is joy / in all," setting the tone for the entire piece. This opening line is a declaration of the speaker’s intention to find and acknowledge joy in every part of her morning routine. By listing the specific tasks she performs each morning—brushing her hair, rubbing her body with a freshly washed towel, cooking eggs, heating coffee, and setting the table—Sexton emphasizes the ritualistic nature of these actions. Each task is described with a sense of affection and care, transforming these ordinary activities into sacred acts.

The imagery in the poem is vivid and tangible, bringing to life the texture of the "Cannon towel, newly washed," the sound of the "outcry from the kettle," and the warmth of the "chapel of eggs" being cooked. These details root the poem in the physical world, reminding the reader of the sensory pleasures that often go unnoticed in the rush of daily life. The use of the word "chapel" to describe the eggs adds a layer of reverence to the scene, likening the simple act of cooking breakfast to a spiritual experience.

Sexton personifies the objects around her, giving them voices that greet her each morning: "the spoon and the chair / that cry 'hello there, Anne' / each morning." This personification suggests a deep connection between the speaker and her environment, as if the objects themselves are participating in her morning routine and offering her companionship. This playful yet sincere acknowledgment of the inanimate objects around her reflects a profound sense of gratitude and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all things.

The speaker’s kitchen table becomes a "godhead," a place where the divine is manifested in the everyday. By setting her "silver, plate, cup" on this table each morning, the speaker is engaging in a ritual that connects her to something greater than herself. The repetition of "each morning" throughout the poem emphasizes the consistency and reliability of these moments, suggesting that the divine presence is always available, if only we take the time to notice it.

Sexton’s expression of gratitude culminates in the line, "I mean, / though often forget, / to give thanks." Here, the speaker admits to the human tendency to overlook these moments of grace, yet she consciously chooses to remember and to give thanks. The act of "faint[ing] down by the kitchen table / in a prayer of rejoicing" is a symbolic gesture of surrender and humility, acknowledging the sacredness of the morning and the simple pleasures it brings. The image of "the holy birds at the kitchen window" pecking at their "marriage of seeds" reinforces the theme of unity and the sacredness of life’s smallest details.

In the closing lines, Sexton underscores the importance of expressing gratitude: "let me paint a thank-you on my palm / for this God, this laughter of the morning / lest it go unspoken." The metaphor of painting a thank-you on her palm suggests a desire to make gratitude a tangible and lasting part of her being, something she carries with her throughout the day. The "laughter of the morning" embodies the joy and lightness that come with recognizing and appreciating the simple blessings of life.

The final line, "The Joy that isn't shared, I've heard, / dies young," serves as both a reminder and a gentle warning. Sexton suggests that joy, like gratitude, must be expressed and shared in order to thrive. By writing this poem, she is sharing her joy with the reader, ensuring that it lives on.

"Welcome Morning" is a beautiful affirmation of life’s small blessings and a call to mindfulness and gratitude. Anne Sexton’s ability to find the divine in the everyday and to elevate the ordinary to the sacred is a testament to her profound understanding of the interconnectedness of life. The poem encourages the reader to slow down, to notice, and to give thanks for the simple joys that make up the fabric of our daily lives.

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