Abuse Quote by Anne Sexton
“we do not explain my husband's insane abuse and we do not say why your wild-haired wife has fled or that my father opened like a walnut and then was dead. Your palms fold over me like knees. Love is the only use.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Mother", Anne Sexton, 1969
Violent domestic abuse and abandonment are described through surreal, fragmented imagery, highlighting love as a sole refuge.
In simple terms: Abuse and escape are chaotic; love remains.
Key Takeaway
Seek love amid trauma.
Themes
abuse
escape
love
Mood
somber
intense
Type
poetic
emotional
When to use this quote
- counseling
- support groups
- personal healing
Key Concepts
psychological trauma
surrealism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does love mean in painful contexts?
- How can one find safety beyond love?
A Different Perspective
Love alone may not resolve systemic abuse.
