The town does not exist except where one black haired tree slips up like a drowned woman into the hot sky

The town does not exist except where one black haired tree slips up like a drowned woman into the hot sky

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 complex emotions and ideas. The line "The town does not exist except where one black haired tree slips up like a drowned woman into the hot sky" is a perfect example of Sexton's ability to create evocative and haunting images that linger in the mind of the reader.

The image of a black-haired tree slipping up into the hot sky like a drowned woman is both beautiful and unsettling. It suggests a sense of isolation and desolation, as if the town itself is a ghostly and ephemeral place that exists only in the imagination. The comparison of the tree to a drowned woman adds a sense of tragedy and loss, hinting at hidden depths and untold stories lurking beneath the surface.

Sexton's use of color and texture in this line is also noteworthy. The black hair of the tree contrasts sharply with the hot sky, creating a sense of starkness and intensity. The word "slips" implies a sense of movement and fluidity, as if the tree is slowly and silently rising up towards the heavens. The image of the tree reaching towards the sky like a drowned woman adds a sense of mystery and ambiguity, inviting the reader to ponder the deeper meaning behind the words.

Overall, this line from Sexton's work captures the essence of her poetic style - dark, haunting, and deeply introspective. It is a powerful and evocative image that lingers in the mind long after the words have been read. Through her use of vivid and striking imagery, Sexton invites the reader to explore the hidden depths of the human experience and confront the darker aspects of the human psyche.