Welcome to Poem of the Day – Again And Again And Again by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton is one of the most powerful voices in American poetry. Her work is known for its honesty, emotion, and raw beauty. Today, we take a closer look at one of her striking poems, “Again And Again And Again.” This poem, like much of her work, explores deep emotions and human experiences. It uses clear language, repetition, and striking images to express ideas about love, longing, and the passage of time.
Again And Again And Again Explanation
Overview of the Poem
The poem “Again And Again And Again” is short but powerful. It uses repetition to highlight a key feeling—something that keeps happening over and over. This repetition gives the poem a strong rhythm and helps us feel the emotion behind the words. In this poem, Sexton talks about a dream-like experience of love. It is something beautiful and painful at the same time. The poem feels mysterious, like a memory or a vision that keeps coming back.
Line-by-Line Explanation
Let’s take a closer look at the poem’s lines and what they mean. Here is the poem:
Again and again, however we know the landscape of love
and the little churchyard there, with its sorrowing names,
and the frightening silence of the church itself,
and the darkness of the box, and the closing of the eyes.
These lines suggest that the speaker has experienced love many times. The phrase “again and again” shows that love is a repeated experience. However, it is not always joyful. The landscape of love includes a “churchyard” with “sorrowing names.” This image suggests death or loss. Love, in this poem, is closely tied to grief.
The “frightening silence of the church” and the “darkness of the box” (likely a coffin) show that love is not only romantic—it is also mysterious, sacred, and sometimes painful. The final image of “the closing of the eyes” may suggest both sleep and death. Love, in this case, brings not just joy but also sorrow and finality.
Again and again someone brings roses to the door,
and you open them and they fall to the floor.
Here, the repetition continues. Someone brings roses—a symbol of love and romance. But when the speaker opens “them” (possibly referring to arms or emotions), the roses fall. This could suggest disappointment, rejection, or the fleeting nature of love. Even though love appears again and again, it does not always last.
Themes in the Poem
1. Repetition of Experience
The phrase “again and again” appears more than once in the poem. It shows how the speaker feels trapped in a cycle. Love keeps happening—but the results are often the same. This gives the poem a feeling of inevitability, as if the speaker is both drawn to love and hurt by it.
2. Beauty and Sorrow
The poem mixes beautiful images (like roses) with sad ones (like a churchyard). This contrast shows that love is not just sweet and joyful. It can also bring pain, loss, and grief. Sexton is honest about this truth. She does not present love as perfect or ideal. She shows its full range of emotions.
3. The Sacred and the Personal
The mention of a church and a churchyard gives the poem a spiritual feeling. Love becomes something holy, almost like a ritual. But at the same time, it is deeply personal. The images are quiet, close, and emotional. The mix of sacred and personal gives the poem depth and power.
Poetic Devices Used
Repetition
The most obvious device in this poem is repetition. The phrase “again and again” appears in the title and in the poem itself. This shows how certain feelings or events keep returning.
Imagery
Sexton uses strong images: a churchyard, roses, a dark box. These help readers see and feel what the speaker is going through.
Symbolism
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Roses: Often symbolize love, but in this poem, they fall to the floor. This could symbolize failed or broken love.
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The Church and Churchyard: Represent sacred space, death, and perhaps the seriousness of love.
Tone of the Poem
The tone of “Again And Again And Again” is quiet, sad, and thoughtful. It feels like a whisper or a memory. The speaker is not angry or loud. She is reflective and emotional. The poem invites readers to think deeply about their own experiences with love and loss.
Why This Poem Matters Today
Anne Sexton’s poem still speaks to readers today because its emotions are timeless. Most people know what it feels like to fall in love, to lose love, or to go through that cycle again. The poem reminds us that these feelings are not just personal—they are also shared, repeated, and deeply human.
Conclusion
“Again And Again And Again” by Anne Sexton is a short but powerful poem. It uses simple language, strong images, and repetition to explore love and loss. The poem is both beautiful and haunting. It reminds us that love is not just about joy. It is also about grief, memory, and the things that return to us, again and again.
If you are new to Anne Sexton’s work, this poem is a great place to start. It shows her honesty, her talent, and her deep understanding of human emotion.
