Welcome to Poem of the Day – Us by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton was one of the most powerful voices in 20th-century American poetry. Her poems are known for their raw emotion, honesty, and exploration of mental illness, femininity, and personal relationships. One of her lesser-known but emotionally intense poems is Us. This article provides a clear and simple explanation of the poem Us by Anne Sexton. We will look at what the poem is about, how it is written, and what it might mean.
Us Explanation
Overview of the Poem Us
The poem Us is short but filled with deep emotion. In it, Sexton talks about a close relationship. It could be a romantic relationship, a friendship, or even a memory of someone important. The poem focuses on the bond between two people, and the changes that happen in that bond over time.
Line-by-Line Explanation
Let us now look at the poem line by line and explain what it means in simple terms. Note: Sexton’s poems often have multiple versions and slightly different formats depending on where they are published. Here, we use one of the commonly published versions of Us.
“I was wrapped in black / fur and white fur and / you undid me and then / you placed me in a box.”
This part suggests a strong image of the speaker being wrapped or protected. The “black fur and white fur” may represent comfort, security, or even emotional layers. Someone — the “you” in the poem — undoes this wrapping. They take away her safety. Then, they place her “in a box,” which could mean control, containment, or death. This is a powerful metaphor for a loss of freedom.
“I stayed there, / in that box, / for twenty years.”
This shows how long the speaker remained trapped. The box is not just a physical object but a symbol. It may represent a difficult marriage, a period of depression, or even the role society placed on her. She stayed in this condition for two decades.
“You came by / and said, ‘Why are you in that box?’”
Now, the same person who put her in the box seems surprised. They ask why she is there. This could show how people often forget the harm they have caused. It also shows how relationships can become uneven or painful over time.
“I said, ‘Because you put me there.’”
This is a strong and honest answer. The speaker reminds the other person that they are responsible. This line is simple but full of power. It is a moment of truth, and perhaps of confrontation.
“Not me,” you said. / ‘I don’t know you. / I’ve never seen you before. / I don’t know who you are.’”
This is the most painful part. The person now denies everything. They claim not to remember. They pretend not to know the speaker at all. This could represent emotional betrayal, denial, or abandonment. It’s a moment of deep heartbreak.
Themes in the Poem
Let’s look at the themes that appear in Us:
1. Betrayal and Denial
The poem speaks about betrayal. The speaker trusted someone who later forgot her pain. That person denies everything, even knowing her.
2. Identity and Loss
The speaker loses her sense of self in the “box.” She is not just trapped physically but also emotionally. When the other person says, “I don’t know you,” it is like she is erased.
3. The Long-Term Effects of Hurt
The line “for twenty years” shows how long emotional wounds can last. The past is not easily forgotten. The box is a symbol of that lasting damage.
4. Confession and Memory
This is a personal poem. It feels like a private confession. Sexton often used her poetry to work through her memories. Here, she brings a moment from the past into the light.
Style and Language
Sexton’s style in Us is simple but strong. She uses clear images. The “box,” the “fur,” and the conversation are easy to imagine. The lines are short. There is no complex language. This makes the emotion stand out more. The poem feels like a real conversation — soft, but serious.
Why Us Still Matters
Even though this poem is short, it carries deep meaning. Many people can relate to feeling forgotten or misunderstood. Many can relate to feeling trapped by someone else’s actions. Sexton gives a voice to these feelings. She makes the invisible pain visible.
Us also shows how poetry can be both personal and universal. Though Sexton is writing about her own life, the feelings she describes are ones we all might know.
Conclusion
Anne Sexton’s Us is a moving poem about pain, memory, and the effects of emotional harm. With simple words and deep emotion, she paints a picture of a broken connection. The speaker is hurt, trapped, and eventually denied. But she also speaks clearly, without fear. She claims her truth. That is what makes this poem powerful.
Through Us, Sexton reminds us how much our relationships shape us. And she shows how poetry can help us understand that shape — even when it hurts.
