Satan Says by Sharon Olds

| filed under: Poem, visceral imagery in poetry, Sharon Olds, taboo topics in literature, contemporary poets, Poetry, Satan Says by Sharon Olds, emotional liberation through poetry, Sharon Olds poetry, rebellious poetry themes, family dynamics in poetry, Poet, Poems, confessional poetry, autobiographical poetry

Being exposed to the profane done artfully and in a way that shows the humanness innate in blasphemy and heresy. This poem, by poet Sharon Olds, from her book Satan Says, was one of those experiences. That and The Pope's Penis, another of her poems.

Poet Sharon Olds

I am locked in a little cedar box

with a picture of shepherds pasted onto

the central panel between carvings.

The box stands on curved legs.

It has a gold, heart-shaped lock

and no key. I am trying to write my

way out of the closed box

redolent of cedar. Satan

comes to me in the locked box

and says, I’ll get you out. Say

My father is a shit. I say

my father is a shit and Satan

laughs and says, It’s opening.

Say your mother is a pimp.

My mother is a pimp. Something

opens and breaks when I say that.

My spine uncurls in the cedar box

like the pink back of the ballerina pin

with a ruby eye, resting beside me on

satin in the cedar box.

Say shit, say death, say fuck the father,

Satan says, down my ear.

The pain of the locked past buzzes

in the child’s box on her bureau, under

the terrible round pond eye

etched around with roses, where

self-loathing gazed at sorrow.

Shit. Death. Fuck the father.

Something opens. Satan says

Don’t you feel a lot better?

Light seems to break on the delicate

edelweiss pin, carved in two

colors of wood. I love him too,

you know, I say to Satan dark

in the locked box. I love them but

I’m trying to say what happened to us

in the lost past. Of course, he says

and smiles, of course. Now say: torture.

I see, through blackness soaked in cedar,

the edge of a large hinge open.

Say: the father’s cock, the mother’s

cunt, says Satan, I’ll get you out.

The angle of the hinge widens

until I see the outlines of

the time before I was, when they were

locked in the bed. When I say

the magic words, Cock, Cunt,

Satan softly says, Come out.

But the air around the opening

is heavy and thick as hot smoke.

Come in, he says, and I feel his voice

breathing from the opening.

The exit is through Satan’s mouth.

Come in my mouth, he says, you’re there

already, and the huge hinge

begins to close. Oh no, I loved

them, too, I brace

my body tight

in the cedar house.

Satan sucks himself out the keyhole.

I’m left locked in the box, he seals

the heart-shaped lock with the wax of his tongue.

It’s your coffin now, Satan says.

I hardly hear;

I am warming my cold

hands at the dancer’s

ruby eye—

the fire, the suddenly discovered knowledge of love.

About the Poem: Satan Says

Satan Says by Sharon Olds is a powerful exploration of rebellion, self-discovery, and emotional liberation. The poem’s vivid imagery, such as the cedar box and Satan as a figure of temptation and release, conveys a journey through painful memories and societal taboos. Olds challenges the constraints of familial and societal expectations, using raw and visceral language to delve into themes of trauma, identity, and love. The interplay between defiance and acceptance serves as a cornerstone of the poem, making it a landmark work in confessional poetry.

About Sharon Olds

Sharon Olds is a renowned American poet celebrated for her bold and deeply personal work. Born in 1942 in San Francisco, Olds attended Stanford University and later earned her PhD at Columbia University. Her poetry often draws on her own life experiences, including her childhood, relationships, and motherhood. Olds has received numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2013 for Stag’s Leap, and her work continues to resonate with readers for its unflinching honesty and emotional depth.

Her School of Poetry

Sharon Olds is one of the leading voices in confessional poetry, a literary movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. Confessional poetry is characterized by its intimate, autobiographical nature, often dealing with themes like mental illness, family, and trauma. Olds’ work is marked by a fearless approach to taboo topics, placing her in the lineage of poets like Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. However, Olds distinguishes herself through her unrelenting focus on the physical and emotional complexities of love, sexuality, and the human body.

Context for Satan Says

Published in 1980, Satan Says was Sharon Olds’ debut poetry collection, a work that established her as a groundbreaking voice in contemporary literature. The collection was released during a time of shifting cultural attitudes toward feminism, family dynamics, and personal expression, allowing Olds to explore previously unspoken topics. The poem’s intense emotional and physical imagery reflects these changes, resonating with a generation seeking authenticity in art. Its bold treatment of topics like family trauma and personal rebellion drew both acclaim and controversy, cementing Olds' reputation as a transformative poet.

Her Peers and Influences

Sharon Olds is often compared to other confessional poets such as Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, and Robert Lowell. Like her peers, Olds draws from personal experience to craft her work, but her poetry uniquely emphasizes the physicality of emotion and the human experience. While Plath and Sexton often focus on psychological and existential themes, Olds brings a visceral, almost primal quality to her imagery. Other influences on Olds’ work include feminist thought, the free verse of Walt Whitman, and her background in the academic study of poetry.

Sharon Olds’ Perspectives

Olds’ poetry reflects her perspective on family, relationships, and identity, often challenging societal norms and expectations. She views vulnerability as a strength, using it to confront uncomfortable truths about the human condition. Olds frequently addresses taboo subjects—such as familial abuse, sexuality, and bodily functions—with unflinching honesty. Her ability to balance love and critique in her depiction of family relationships demonstrates a nuanced understanding of emotional complexity. Olds’ work invites readers to embrace their own humanity, flaws and all.

FAQ

What is Satan Says about?
Satan Says is about confronting familial trauma, societal taboos, and personal rebellion. It uses visceral imagery to explore themes of identity, defiance, and emotional release.
Why is Sharon Olds considered a confessional poet?
Olds’ work is deeply personal, often autobiographical, and explores intimate themes such as family, sexuality, and trauma, hallmarks of the confessional poetry genre.
What other works by Olds should I read?
Some notable works include The Dead and the Living, The Gold Cell, and Stag’s Leap, which won the Pulitzer Prize.
How does Satan Says reflect on family dynamics?
The poem examines the tension between love and resentment in familial relationships, using bold language to explore unresolved trauma and self-discovery.
Who inspired Sharon Olds’ poetry?
Olds draws inspiration from confessional poets like Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton, as well as the free verse traditions of Walt Whitman.

Glossary of Terms and References

Confessional Poetry: A genre of poetry focused on intimate, autobiographical subjects, often exploring themes like mental illness, trauma, and relationships.
Blasphemy: Irreverence towards sacred ideas, frequently used in Satan Says to challenge societal norms.
Cedar Box: A central symbol in the poem, representing confinement, memory, and the struggles of self-expression.
Taboo Topics: Subjects avoided in polite discourse, such as abuse, sexuality, and bodily functions, which Olds addresses in her work.
Visceral Imagery: A hallmark of Olds’ poetry, using vivid and raw descriptions to evoke strong emotional responses.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Satan Says

Satan Says remains a landmark work in confessional poetry, challenging conventions and exploring deeply personal themes with unflinching honesty. Sharon Olds’ fearless approach to taboo subjects and her masterful use of visceral imagery have made her an enduring voice in contemporary literature. Her work continues to inspire readers to confront their own vulnerabilities and embrace the complexities of the human experience.

Mar 12, 2019 11:10 AM

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