Welcome to Poem of the Day – Her Kind by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton was one of the most powerful voices in American poetry during the 20th century. She was part of the Confessional Poetry movement, which focused on deeply personal topics like mental illness, family struggles, and identity. One of her most famous and powerful poems is Her Kind. In this poem, Sexton explores what it means to be a woman who lives outside of society’s expectations. Today, we will look at this poem line by line to understand its meaning, tone, and message.
Her Kind Poem
I have gone out, a possessed witch,
haunting the black air, braver at night;
dreaming evil, I have done my hitch
over the plain houses, light by light:
lonely thing, twelve-fingered, out of mind.
A woman like that is not a woman, quite.
I have been her kind.
I have found the warm caves in the woods,
filled them with skillets, carvings, shelves,
closets, silks, innumerable goods;
fixed the suppers for the worms and the elves:
whining, rearranging the disaligned.
A woman like that is misunderstood.
I have been her kind.
I have ridden in your cart, driver,
waved my nude arms at villages going by,
learning the last bright routes, survivor
where your flames still bite my thigh
and my ribs crack where your wheels wind.
A woman like that is not ashamed to die.
I have been her kind.
Her Kind Explanation
Overview of the Poem
Her Kind was first published in Anne Sexton’s 1960 collection, To Bedlam and Part Way Back. It is written in three stanzas, each made up of seven lines. Each stanza ends with the same line:
“I have been her kind.”
This repeating line gives the poem a strong rhythm and shows the speaker’s personal connection to the women described.
First Stanza: The Witch-Like Woman
I have gone out, a possessed witch,
haunting the black air, braver at night;
dreaming evil, I have done my hitch
over the plain houses, light by light:
lonely thing, twelve-fingered, out of mind.
A woman like that is not a woman, quite.
I have been her kind.
In this first stanza, the speaker describes herself as a “possessed witch.” This line suggests she feels different or outside of the norm. Witches have often symbolized women who challenge rules or live outside of society’s control. She says she is “braver at night,” which may show how she feels more free when the world is quiet and dark. The phrase “twelve-fingered” shows strangeness and otherness—it marks her as not quite human, perhaps. Society does not accept women like her. The line “A woman like that is not a woman, quite” shows how the world may not even see her as truly female if she does not act in expected ways.
Second Stanza: The Suburban Housewife
I have found the warm caves in the woods,
filled them with skillets, carvings, shelves,
closets, silks, innumerable goods;
fixed the suppers for the worms and the elves:
whining, rearranging the disaligned.
A woman like that is misunderstood.
I have been her kind.
In this stanza, the speaker seems to shift into the role of a housewife or homemaker. She talks about “warm caves” which likely represent the home. She fills them with domestic items—skillets, shelves, silks—showing a traditional female role. But even here, she is not happy. The line “fixed the suppers for the worms and the elves” has a fantasy feel. It could mean she feels her work is unseen or even meaningless. She is “whining, rearranging the disaligned,” suggesting frustration, repetition, and lack of fulfillment. Even as a housewife, this woman is “misunderstood.” Again, the stanza ends with “I have been her kind.” The speaker has lived this life too and knows how it feels.
Third Stanza: The Condemned Woman
I have ridden in your cart, driver,
waved my nude arms at villages going by,
learning the last bright routes, survivor
where your flames still bite my thigh
and my ribs crack where your wheels wind.
A woman like that is not ashamed to die.
I have been her kind.
In this final stanza, the speaker seems to describe a woman being taken to execution, possibly burned at the stake or some other violent end. This woman is brave, even in death. She waves her arms, showing strength and defiance. The line “your flames still bite my thigh” is especially powerful—it may refer to the pain of judgment, punishment, or society’s cruelty. The speaker says, “A woman like that is not ashamed to die.” This woman does not fear death. She accepts her fate because she has lived honestly and bravely. Again, the speaker ends with “I have been her kind.”
Themes in the Poem
1. Female Identity
Sexton shows that there are many ways to be a woman. Whether strange, domestic, or rebellious, each of these women is real. The poem tells us that no single way of being a woman is more “correct” than another.
2. Rebellion and Freedom
All three women in the poem live outside the usual expectations. They are not quiet or obedient. They have their own ways of living, even if it brings pain.
3. Empathy and Solidarity
By saying “I have been her kind,” Sexton shows solidarity with other women. She does not judge them. Instead, she says: “I understand. I have been there too.”
Tone and Style
The tone of the poem is bold, haunting, and proud. Sexton uses strong, strange images to paint women as witches, housewives, and outcasts. Her language is simple, but the meaning is deep. The repetition of “I have been her kind” gives the poem a steady beat and emotional power.
Why This Poem Matters Today
Even though Her Kind was written in the 1960s, it still speaks to many people today—especially women who feel like they do not fit into the roles that society gives them. The poem reminds us that there are many ways to be strong, real, and human. It also reminds us to understand and support each other, even when we live different lives.
Conclusion
Anne Sexton’s Her Kind is a poem about identity, courage, and understanding. Through three different images of women, she shows that being different is not wrong. The poem speaks for those who feel strange, alone, or judged. It says: “You are not alone. I have been there too.”
It is a timeless message, and one that makes Her Kind a poem worth reading, remembering, and sharing.
