Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s "Riding the Elevator into the Sky" is a surreal exploration of transcendence, mortality, and the tension between earthly limitations and the longing for spiritual elevation. The poem, characterized by Sexton’s vivid imagination and dark wit, takes the reader on an ascent through the metaphorical floors of existence, each representing different realms of experience and understanding. As the speaker moves higher and higher in the elevator, the poem grapples with themes of fear, desire, and the elusive nature of ultimate knowledge.

The poem begins with practical advice, juxtaposing the mundane with the profound: "Don't book a room over the fifth floor / in any hotel in New York." This instruction, rooted in the logic of safety, quickly transitions into a more existential warning as the speaker reveals that "The elevator always seeks out / the floor of the fire and automatically opens / and won't shut." The elevator here becomes a symbol of inevitability, drawn to danger and destruction, much like the human mind is drawn to the contemplation of mortality and the unknown. The notion that the elevator "won't shut" suggests an unrelenting confrontation with these fears, a door that, once opened, cannot be easily closed.

Sexton then introduces the idea of climbing "out of yourself" as a necessary act for those seeking transcendence, despite the warnings that accompany such a journey. The act of smashing "into the sky" becomes a metaphor for breaking free from the constraints of the physical world and reaching for something beyond. This ascent is not without risk, as indicated by the speaker’s acknowledgement of having "gone past / the fifth floor" many times, but only once "all the way up." This implies that true transcendence, or perhaps a complete understanding of the self or the universe, is a rare and perilous achievement.

As the speaker ascends through the metaphorical floors, each level presents a distinct and increasingly abstract environment. The "sixtieth floor" is marked by "small plants and swans bending / into their grave," a poignant image that suggests the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, even for the most serene and beautiful aspects of nature. This floor represents the first stage of moving beyond the mundane, yet it is still tinged with the sorrow of mortality.

At "floor two hundred," the imagery shifts to "mountains with the patience of a cat, / silence wearing its sneakers." Here, the poem enters a realm of quietude and timelessness, where the mountains, symbols of enduring strength, are juxtaposed with the playful yet patient image of a cat. The idea of "silence wearing its sneakers" introduces a sense of movement within stillness, a paradox that captures the elusive nature of inner peace and the persistent restlessness of the human spirit.

By the time the speaker reaches "floor five hundred," the imagery becomes even more ethereal: "messages and letters centuries old, / birds to drink, / a kitchen of clouds." This floor is a space of memory and communication, where the past is preserved in ancient messages, and sustenance comes from the very elements of the sky. The "kitchen of clouds" suggests a nurturing space that is both intangible and nourishing, where the ordinary (a kitchen) is transformed into something celestial.

The final ascent to "floor six thousand" reveals "the stars, / skeletons on fire, / their arms singing." This is the pinnacle of the journey, where the speaker encounters the ultimate mysteries of the universe. The stars, often symbols of guidance and eternity, are depicted here as "skeletons on fire," blending images of life, death, and rebirth. Their "arms singing" suggests a cosmic harmony, a kind of music that transcends human understanding, echoing the eternal dance of life and death.

The poem concludes with the discovery of "a key, / a very large key, / that opens something — / some useful door — / somewhere — / up there." This ambiguous ending leaves the reader with a sense of unresolved mystery. The key represents potential and the possibility of unlocking a deeper truth or entering a new realm of understanding. However, the uncertainty of what the key opens or where it leads reflects the inherent uncertainty in the search for meaning. The phrase "somewhere — / up there" keeps the conclusion open-ended, suggesting that the journey of transcendence is ongoing and that the ultimate destination remains just out of reach.

"Riding the Elevator into the Sky" encapsulates Sexton’s exploration of the human condition, caught between the tangible and the intangible, the known and the unknown. The elevator’s ascent becomes a metaphor for the soul’s journey toward enlightenment, fraught with the dangers of self-discovery and the allure of the infinite. In this poem, Sexton deftly captures the tension between the desire for transcendence and the ever-present reality of human limitations, leaving the reader to ponder the mysteries that lie beyond the reach of the ordinary and the earthly.

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