The Bells - A poem by Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton - The Bells

Today the circus poster
is scabbing off the concrete wall
and the children have forgotten
if they knew at all.
Father, do you remember?
Only the sound remains,
the distant thump of the good elephants,
the voice of the ancient lions
and how the bells
trembled for the flying man.
I, laughing,
lifted to your high shoulder
or small at the rough legs of strangers,
was not afraid.
You held my hand
and were instant to explain
the three rings of danger.

Oh see the naughty clown
and the wild parade
while love love
love grew rings around me.
this was the sound where it began;
our breath pounding up to see
the flying man breast out
across the boarded sky
and climb the air.
I remember the color of music
and how forever
all the trembling bells of you
were mine.

Added: on March 9th, 2005 at 1:49 PM | Viewed: 4561 times | Comments and analysis of The Bells by Anne Sexton Comments (4)

The Bells - Comments and Information
Poet: Anne Sexton Poem: The Bells Comment 4 of 4, added on March 27th, 2006 at 1:44 PM. the significance of The Bells--this is much more of a dark memory from her childhood. The bells are first seen trembling for the flying man--"the three rings of danger."--the ringing takes you back to the bells. And is repeated in her next stanza with "love, love, love"--is it love or is another sign of danger? Is this a realization of where the danger begins at this circus? and the bells come back for the final sentence--"all the trembling bells of you were mine." That memory may read full of love, but trembling bells in this poem equate to danger--it was a warning for Anne--probably about her dad. Julie from United States Comment 3 of 4, added on October 24th, 2005 at 1:08 PM. I think the point of this poem is that she is remembering a good time she once had with her father. I think the significance of the bells are that they are something she remembers hearing while she was with her dad, so bells remind her of the good times she had with her dad. Kasey from United States Comment 2 of 4, added on March 9th, 2005 at 1:49 PM. I think that the bells are symbolizing her emotions. In the poem she is talking about how she feels very close to her father, and how they are connected at this moment of time. Her and her father (or whatever person she was thinking of) share their feelings. That is my insignificant opinion anyway. Carissa from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Bells, has received 4 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: The Bells Last read: May 17 2008, 12:50AM Viewed 4561 times. Added on March 9th, 2005 at 1:49 PM.

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