Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "Some Foreign Letters" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, memory, and the intimate connections we form with the past, especially through letters and written communication. The poem navigates the distance between generations, exploring the life of an older relative—likely a great-aunt or grandmother—through the letters she left behind. These letters, filled with vivid descriptions of her travels and experiences, become a gateway for the speaker to connect with a life lived long before her own.

The poem begins by addressing the older woman directly, acknowledging the lifelong connection the speaker feels with her: "I knew you forever and you were always old, / soft white lady of my heart." This line establishes the affection and familiarity the speaker has with the older woman, who represents both a personal and historical figure. The mention of "foreign postmarks" suggests that these letters are from a time when travel and communication were more deliberate and less instantaneous, adding to the sense of nostalgia and reverence.

As the speaker reads these letters, she imagines the older woman’s life in various cities—London, Berlin, and Rome—each setting bringing its own atmosphere and historical context. In London, the speaker envisions the older woman navigating the city during "Lord Mayor's Day" and walking through "the sad holes / of Whitechapel," an area notorious for its association with Jack the Ripper. This vivid imagery transports the reader to the gritty, historical London of the late 19th century, a time and place far removed from the speaker’s own life.

The poem then shifts to Berlin, where the older woman skates with her "Count" while a "military band / plays a Strauss waltz." This image of elegance and refinement contrasts with the earlier scenes of London’s grim streets, highlighting the varied experiences the older woman had during her travels. The reference to "nickel-plated skates" and the "pleated old lady with a crooked hand" suggests the passage of time and the physical changes that come with aging.

Sexton’s use of historical references, such as Bismarck’s house and the ruins of the Palatine in Rome, grounds the poem in a specific era, evoking the grandeur and decay of European history. These references also serve to emphasize the temporal distance between the speaker and the older woman, who lived in a world that seems both distant and familiar. The speaker’s attempts to "reach into your page and breathe it back" illustrate the desire to bridge this gap, to connect with a life that, though past, still holds significance in the present.

The poem’s tone shifts as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of change and loss. The older woman’s life, once filled with adventure and romance, eventually leads her back to America, where she lives out her final years in a more subdued, domestic setting. The speaker imagines warning her about the future, about "wars coming" and the death of the Count, as if trying to protect her from the sorrows that lie ahead. Yet, the poem acknowledges the futility of this, as the older woman’s fate is already sealed, and she must accept her return to "America back to live like a prim thing / on the farm in Maine."

In the final stanzas, the poem becomes more personal, focusing on the speaker’s memories of the older woman in her later years. The image of the older woman at Symphony Hall, struggling with her hearing and experiencing the "sour sound" of music, captures the poignancy of aging and the loss of vitality. The mention of her "boot feet" and "spectacles" falling as she mumbles "guilty love" to passers-by suggests a decline into confusion and frailty, yet also hints at the enduring emotions and memories that persist even as the body and mind deteriorate.

"Some Foreign Letters" is a meditation on the connections between past and present, between generations, and the ways in which letters and memories can bridge these gaps. Sexton’s use of rich imagery, historical references, and personal reflection creates a layered and evocative portrayal of a life lived across time and space, reminding us of the enduring impact of our ancestors’ experiences on our own lives. The poem underscores the idea that, though the past may seem distant, it continues to resonate in the present, shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...