Anne Sexton - Courage

[stefan]

I need help for this poem, can anyone help me to interpretate this poem pleaz. It is for my oral exam Englisch

[Cam]

Hi Stefan,

Thanks for using the forum.

This is a new poem to me - so I have just read it on-line for the first time.

I think that she is talking about the kind of (quiet?) inner strength that enables people to withstand/endure/survive life's difficulties - from childhood through to death.

Ironically, however, bearing in mind the nature of her own death, 'courage' may be something she identified but did not possess herself??

Very powerful poem. Brilliant ending. Love 'carpet slippers'.

Cheers Cam