The Leash

“The Leash” is a contemporary poem influenced by mid-20th century confessional poetry. Often defined as an extension of lyric poetry, confessional poetry is characterized by a strong central voice sharing a deeply personal and emotional experience. The key difference between the lyric and the confessional is the relative lack of a masking persona—the lines between speaker and poet collapse.

Confessional poets use natural speech rhythms and language to tell their stories. “They grounded their work in actual events, referred to real persons, and refused any metaphorical transformation of intimate details into universal symbols” (“An Introduction to Confessional Poetry.” 2022. Poetry Foundation). They didn’t shy away from taboo subjects—physical and mental illness, family issues, suicide, sexuality—and personal trauma in their work. Honesty and naked vulnerability are hallmarks of the genre.

The focus on emotional and personal content is balanced by equally strong technique: “these poets maintained a high level of craftsmanship through their careful attention to and use of prosody” (“A Brief Guide to Confessional Poetry.” 2014. Academy of American Poets).

Limón has identified Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, Lucille Clifton, and Adrienne Rich as influences on her work—all poets associated to some degree with the Confessional movement.