The Starry Night - A poem by Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton - The Starry Night

That does not keep me from having a terrible need of -- shall I say the word -- religion. Then
I go out at night to paint the stars.

--Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother

The town does not exist
except where one black-haired tree slips
up like a drowned woman into the hot sky.
The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die.

It moves. They are all alive.
Even the moon bulges in its orange irons
to push children, like a god, from its eye.
The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die:

into that rushing beast of the night,
sucked up by that great dragon, to split
from my life with no flag,
no belly,
no cry.

Added: on February 9th, 2006 at 8:08 AM | Viewed: 30540 times | Comments and analysis of The Starry Night by Anne Sexton Comments (10)

The Starry Night - Comments and Information
Poet: Anne Sexton Poem: The Starry Night Volume: All My Pretty Ones Comment 10 of 10, added on November 12th, 2008 at 9:17 PM. the cyprus tree represents death eleven stars represent apostles (after judas and before matthias) michelle mi. from United States Comment 9 of 10, added on March 17th, 2007 at 2:26 PM. When I read that a person has allowed themselves to die I think (shall I say? as Anne questioned in her poem) ...I think of Xt. He too allowed others to murder Him, and for no reason. Or was there a reason? We observers from the outside are once again led by (shall I say it...religion)?? yes led into Mystery again and again. Shall I say it Divine Mystery. Can the cause of death be birth? ..for Nicole presently, for Magdeline distantly, for Anne 40+ years past. The sorrowing mother Maria's mother was Anne, over 2000 years past. Now I read the deep and beautiful insights of another Anne whom I find most profound. gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro... lorkin from United States Comment 8 of 10, added on February 9th, 2006 at 8:08 AM. I think Sexton produces incredible imagery in this poem. If one had never seen Van Gogh's painting, it would still be as captivating. Having seen the painting however, I understand the "this is how I want to die" comment. It is not a depressing thought, or even that dark of a comment. It is purely the statement of the brilliance of the stars in the painting, and how if she could choose how to die, it would be to be sucked up into these fantastic stars. Incredible and wonderful. V from Canada More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Starry Night, has received 10 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 Starry Night Volume: All My Pretty Ones Last read: Jul 4 2009, 10:15PM Viewed 30540 times. Added on February 9th, 2006 at 8:08 AM.

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