Emerald as heavy as a golf course, ruby as dark as an afterbirth, diamond as white as sun on the sea

Emerald as heavy as a golf course, ruby as dark as an afterbirth, diamond as white as sun on the sea

Anne Sexton was a poet known for her raw and confessional style, delving into themes of mental illness, motherhood, and the struggles of being a woman in a patriarchal society. In her work, she often used vivid and striking imagery to convey the intensity of her emotions and experiences. The phrase “Emerald as heavy as a golf course, ruby as dark as an afterbirth, diamond as white as sun on the sea” encapsulates Sexton’s ability to use powerful and evocative language to create a sense of depth and complexity in her poetry.

The comparison of emerald to a golf course suggests a sense of weight and burden, as if the emerald is so heavy that it could be compared to the vast expanse of a golf course. This imagery could be interpreted as a metaphor for the weight of societal expectations and norms that Sexton felt she had to carry as a woman. The use of the word “heavy” conveys a sense of oppression and struggle, reflecting Sexton’s own battles with mental illness and the constraints of her gender.

The comparison of ruby to an afterbirth is equally striking and visceral. The image of something as dark and bloody as an afterbirth suggests a sense of pain, loss, and rebirth. This could be seen as a metaphor for the intense emotions and experiences that Sexton grappled with in her life and work. The use of the word “dark” conveys a sense of depth and complexity, hinting at the darker aspects of human existence that Sexton often explored in her poetry.

Finally, the comparison of diamond to the sun on the sea is a powerful image of brightness and clarity. The diamond, as white as the sun on the sea, suggests a sense of purity and brilliance. This could be interpreted as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, reflecting Sexton’s own struggles and triumphs. The use of the word “white” conveys a sense of purity and light, suggesting a sense of clarity and insight that Sexton sought in her writing and her life.

Overall, the phrase “Emerald as heavy as a golf course, ruby as dark as an afterbirth, diamond as white as sun on the sea” captures the complexity and intensity of Anne Sexton’s poetry, showcasing her ability to use vivid and evocative imagery to convey the depth of her emotions and experiences.