Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "Snow" is a contemplative exploration of hope and renewal, symbolized through the imagery of snowfall. The poem draws on the familiar scene of snow covering the ground and transforming the landscape, using this transformation as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and the pervasive presence of hope. Sexton’s language is simple yet rich with symbolic meaning, blending the physical and the divine in a way that reflects her characteristic style of merging the mundane with the mystical.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the snow directly, calling it "blessed snow," and noting how it "comes out of the sky / like bleached flies." This opening comparison sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the purity and otherworldliness of snow while also acknowledging its almost surreal presence. The reference to "bleached flies" might suggest something initially unsettling—flies being typically associated with decay—but the act of being "bleached" implies a kind of cleansing or purification. This duality sets the stage for the poem's exploration of the tension between hope and doubt, purity and decay.

As the snow covers the ground, Sexton observes, "The ground is no longer naked. / The ground has on its clothes." Here, the snow is seen as a protective layer, clothing the earth in a way that shields it from the cold and harshness of winter. The personification of the ground as something that can be "naked" or "clothed" adds a layer of intimacy to the natural world, suggesting that the earth itself is a living entity that can be nurtured and cared for. This imagery evokes a sense of comfort and safety, as if the snow is a benevolent force that brings warmth and protection to the world.

The description of trees "poking out of sheets" and each branch wearing "the sock of God" further emphasizes this idea of the natural world being cared for and protected. The image of the "sock of God" is both whimsical and profound, suggesting that even the smallest details of the world are touched by the divine. Sexton’s use of this playful yet reverent language underscores the poem’s central theme: that hope is present in all things, even in the seemingly ordinary or overlooked aspects of life.

The refrain "There is hope. / There is hope everywhere" serves as the emotional core of the poem, repeated to emphasize the speaker's realization that hope is an omnipresent force. The speaker bites into this hope, an act that is both physical and symbolic, as if trying to internalize it, to make it a part of themselves. The cautionary advice that follows—"Someone once said: / Don't bite till you know if it's bread or stone"—introduces a moment of doubt or hesitation. This line alludes to the possibility that what appears to be nourishing might, in fact, be harmful. However, the speaker quickly reassures themselves, asserting that "What I bite is all bread, / rising, yeasty as a cloud." The comparison of hope to bread, "rising" and "yeasty," evokes the image of life-giving sustenance, something that is nourishing and essential for survival.

The poem closes with the repetition of the refrain, followed by the lines, "Today God gives milk / and I have the pail." This final image ties together the themes of hope, nourishment, and divine provision. Milk, often associated with sustenance and maternal care, represents a pure and life-sustaining force. The speaker's possession of the pail suggests that they are ready to receive this gift, to be nourished by the hope that is so abundantly present in the world.

In "Snow," Anne Sexton uses the simple image of snow covering the ground as a metaphor for hope and divine sustenance. Through her vivid and symbolic language, she conveys a message of renewal and comfort, reminding us that even in the coldest and darkest times, there is always hope to be found. The poem ultimately speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, the capacity to find nourishment and strength in the world around us, and the ever-present possibility of renewal.

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