Music Swims Back To Me - A poem by Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton - Music Swims Back To Me

Wait Mister. Which way is home?
They turned the light out
and the dark is moving in the corner.
There are no sign posts in this room,
four ladies, over eighty,
in diapers every one of them.
La la la, Oh music swims back to me
and I can feel the tune they played
the night they left me
in this private institution on a hill.

Imagine it. A radio playing
and everyone here was crazy.
I liked it and danced in a circle.
Music pours over the sense
and in a funny way
music sees more than I.
I mean it remembers better;
remembers the first night here.
It was the strangled cold of November;
even the stars were strapped in the sky
and that moon too bright
forking through the bars to stick me
with a singing in the head.
I have forgotten all the rest.

They lock me in this chair at eight a.m.
and there are no signs to tell the way,
just the radio beating to itself
and the song that remembers
more than I. Oh, la la la,
this music swims back to me.
The night I came I danced a circle
and was not afraid.
Mister?

Added: on December 5th, 2004 at 5:09 PM | Viewed: 9681 times | Comments and analysis of Music Swims Back To Me by Anne Sexton Comments (8)

Music Swims Back To Me - Comments and Information
Poet: Anne Sexton (Anne Sexton Art) Poem: Music Swims Back To Me Poem of the Day: Dec 31 2004 Comment 8 of 8, added on November 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 PM. I loved this poem, and it also reminded me of A Beautiful Mind. I am currently writing an essay on Sexton's works, and I am so glad I chose this poem. The rawness and unabashed references to life's natural processes in all of her works definitely gave me a shock and opened my eyes to Sexton's life, as well as life in general. This poem especially spoke to me, it seems to say that even through hard times, such as hospitalizations and even shock therapy, there is always something clear and certain, in this case music. The juxtaposition of knowing where she was then versus not knowing where she is now also stood out to me. I admire Sexton for her skill as a poet and a writer in general. Nicole from United States Comment 7 of 8, added on April 24th, 2005 at 1:52 PM. Anne Sexton's poetry is unbelievably intriging. You feel as if you are sucked into the poetry and experience the situation as it is happening. She speaks so boldly about things everyone wants to talk about but is either embarressed or ashamed they feel that way. While many people do not want to admit they have or do feel the way she did you really do. We all have experienced that lost feeling this poem describes. I love her poetry and am glad I decided to research it for a paper. Alex from United States Comment 6 of 8, added on December 5th, 2004 at 5:09 PM. this poem reminded me so much of A Beautiful Mind, I thougt it was a wonderful poem and it really sent a horrible imigine to my mind. I think everyone should take the time to read this poem, because it could hit home for anyone who has had a mental illness or knows some one who has. cory More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Music Swims Back To Me, has received 8 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Anne Sexton with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Anne Sexton Poem: Music Swims Back To Me Last read: Dec 17 2009, 10:08AM Poem of the Day: Dec 31 2004 Viewed 9681 times. Added on December 5th, 2004 at 5:09 PM.

Sexton Info
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