Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mary's Song" by Anne Sexton is a profound exploration of the theme of motherhood intertwined with the weight of religious and historical symbolism. The poem draws from biblical references, particularly focusing on Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she contemplates the immense burden and inevitable sorrow of giving birth to a savior destined to suffer.

Sexton opens the poem with a series of phrases that evoke the ancient world—"Out of Egypt / with its pearls and honey, / out of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, / out of the God I AM." These lines immediately root the poem in a biblical context, referencing the Exodus, the patriarchs of Israel, and the divine identity of God. The mention of "diseased snakes" and "droppings of flies" suggests the plagues of Egypt, further grounding the poem in the narrative of the Old Testament, where suffering and deliverance are recurrent themes.

The speaker, who embodies Mary, declares that she has come "to give birth," emphasizing the physical and spiritual significance of this act. This birth is not ordinary; it is imbued with divine purpose, as suggested by the command to "Write these words down. / Keep them on the tablet of miracles." The act of giving birth is elevated to a miracle, something to be recorded and remembered, much like the commandments given to Moses. The instructions to "Withdraw from fine linen and goat's hair / and be prepared to anoint yourself with oil" further underscore the sacredness of the event, invoking the rituals of anointing and purification in preparation for a holy act.

The poem takes a haunting turn as Mary describes what is within her—"there are twenty people in my belly, / there is a magnitude of wings, / there are forty eyes shooting like arrows." The imagery here is both mystical and unsettling. The "twenty people" and "magnitude of wings" suggest a multiplicity of beings, possibly angels or souls, awaiting birth. The "forty eyes" could symbolize divine watchfulness or foresight, but the comparison to arrows hints at the inevitable suffering and pain that these beings will experience.

Mary acknowledges the tragic destiny of these beings: "I will give suck to all / but they will go hungry, / they will go forth into suffering." This reflects the paradox of her role as the mother of Christ—she nurtures and loves, but cannot prevent the suffering that her children, symbolizing all the Christs, will endure. The repeated refrain of "they will go hungry" and "they will go forth into suffering" underscores the inevitability of pain and sacrifice, central to the Christian narrative of redemption.

The poem's conclusion is poignant and filled with resignation: "I will fondle each / but it will come to nothing. / They will not nest / for they are the Christs / and each will wave good-bye." Mary’s maternal love is evident in her desire to "fondle" each child, to care for and protect them. Yet, she is painfully aware that her nurturing will ultimately be in vain. The Christs are not meant to stay; they are destined to suffer and leave, fulfilling their roles as saviors. The image of each "waving good-bye" captures the sorrow of separation, the inevitability of loss that comes with her divine motherhood.

In "Mary's Song," Sexton masterfully blends personal, religious, and universal themes. The poem is a meditation on the nature of sacrifice, the pain of motherhood, and the weight of divine destiny. Through Mary's voice, Sexton explores the tension between the nurturing, protective instincts of a mother and the cruel inevitability of her children’s suffering. This tension reflects the broader human experience of love, loss, and the search for meaning in the face of inevitable pain.

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