Where I waved at the sky
And waited your love through a February sleep,
I saw birds swinging in, watched them multiply
Into a tree, weaving on a branch, cradling a keep
In the arms of April sprung from the south to occupy
This slow lap of land, like cogs of some balance wheel.
I saw them build the air, with that motion birds feel.

Where I wave at the sky
And understand love, knowing our August heat,
I see birds pulling past the dim frosted thigh
Of Autumn, unlatched from the nest, and wing-beat
For the south, making their high dots across the sky,
Like beauty spots marking a still perfect cheek.
I see them bend the air, slipping away, for what birds seek.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Anne Sexton's poem The Balance Wheel

1 Comment

  1. harry says:

    Hi. I just wanted to say thanks for having this poem here. Though it is one of Sexton’s earlier poems, it has always been one of my favorites.

    Cheers to you and Google!

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