Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's poem "What the Bird with the Human Head Knew" is a profound exploration of the search for God and the nature of divine abundance. Through a blend of surreal imagery, mythic symbolism, and a quest narrative, Sexton delves into the existential and spiritual questions that define the human experience. The poem unfolds like a fable, inviting readers to contemplate the mysteries of faith, the accessibility of the divine, and the boundless nature of spiritual abundance.

The poem begins with the speaker approaching a bird with a human head, a figure that immediately signals the blending of the natural and the supernatural, the mundane and the mystical. This creature, part bird, part human, serves as a guide or oracle, possessing knowledge that bridges the earthly and the divine. The speaker’s question—"where is God?"—is direct and earnest, reflecting a deep yearning to understand the divine's presence or absence in the world.

The bird's response, "God is too busy / to be here on earth," introduces a theme of divine remoteness, suggesting that God, in His infinite responsibilities, cannot be directly encountered on earth. The angels, described as "one thousand geese assembled / and always flapping," evoke a chaotic and distant image of divine messengers who are constantly in motion, perhaps too preoccupied with celestial matters to attend to earthly concerns. This imagery captures the sense of disconnection and the difficulty humans face in accessing the divine directly.

However, the bird offers a glimmer of hope by revealing the existence of "the well of God," which was "dragged down / from paradise by one of the geese." The well, a symbol of life, sustenance, and spiritual nourishment, represents a tangible connection to the divine that exists on earth, albeit hidden and difficult to find. The notion that this well was brought down by a goose—a seemingly humble and unremarkable creature—suggests that divine grace and abundance can be found in unexpected places and through unexpected means.

The speaker embarks on a quest to find this well, journeying "many days" and encountering surreal and dangerous obstacles, such as "witches that eat grandmothers knitting booties / as if they were collecting a debt." This imagery draws on elements of fairy tales and folklore, where witches often symbolize danger, temptation, or the perversion of natural order. The act of consuming grandmothers who are engaged in the domestic and nurturing task of knitting underscores the idea of destruction and inversion of traditional roles and safety. This obstacle highlights the challenges and perils inherent in the spiritual journey, where one must navigate through trials and resist distractions or dangers that threaten to derail the quest.

Finally, the speaker arrives at the well in the middle of the desert, a place traditionally associated with desolation, testing, and purification. The well itself is described as "bubbl[ing] up and down like a litter of cats," an image that conveys both vitality and unpredictability. The comparison to a litter of cats suggests that the well is teeming with life and energy, but it is also elusive and difficult to control. The presence of water in the well, "and I drank, / and there was water, / and I drank," emphasizes the life-giving and sustaining power of the divine. The repetition of "and there was water, / and I drank" highlights the satisfaction and fulfillment the speaker finds in this divine source.

The poem reaches its climax when the well speaks to the speaker, delivering the profound message: "Abundance is scooped from abundance, / yet abundance remains." This paradoxical statement encapsulates the idea of divine infinity—no matter how much is taken from the well, it remains full, symbolizing the endless nature of God’s grace and generosity. The concept of abundance here is not just material or physical, but spiritual—an inexhaustible source of sustenance that continues to give without depleting.

The final line, "Then I knew," signifies the speaker’s moment of epiphany, where the mysteries of the divine are suddenly made clear. This knowing is not intellectual but experiential, a deep, intuitive understanding of the nature of God and the universe. The poem closes with this revelation, leaving the reader to reflect on the idea that true spiritual abundance is found not in the distant heavens, but in the simple, ever-present sources of life and nourishment available on earth.

In "What the Bird with the Human Head Knew," Anne Sexton offers a meditation on the divine that is both mystical and accessible. The poem suggests that while God may seem remote, His presence and abundance are woven into the fabric of the world, available to those who seek with sincerity and perseverance. Through its rich symbolism and narrative structure, the poem invites readers to consider the nature of faith and the ways in which the divine can be encountered in the everyday world, providing sustenance and meaning in the midst of life’s challenges.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...