At the Heels of a Comet

Jacob has posted his poem about Assia Wevill, the love rival of Sylvia Plath who was married to the poet Ted Hughes. We were having a conversation about her. Both women gassed themselves. My efforts:

I wouldn't have wanted 

to walk in Assia's shoes

in soles worn paper thin by guilt.

Her sad footsteps unheard,

insignificant in the ether of history

forever overshadowed. 

How could it have been otherwise?

Blinded by a comet's flare,

in awe of its brilliance.

How do you follow that?

Her eyes green with envy, flecked with Ted,

a copycat demise.

One designed for maximum impact,

destroying a child, condemning a poet

to an existence haunted by ghosts.

A suicide death,

extinguished her last breath,

suffocated by Sylvia's memories.

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

A sad story filled with sad tragedies leading to the awful demise of two talented ladies. I wonder if he drove them insane, not being faithful is one of them. Might he had been abusive and so forth. Whatever the case, it is unfortunate. A worthy poem touching on this matter. Excellent dear Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sami. A poetry history write. They are all gone now and I hope they RIP. This is an older write of mine out for an airing.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

All understandable. You are welcome 😊.

[Andra Dare]

Thank you for this profound and nuanced poem, Chris. If it weren't so compelling it might be almost too sad to read. I guess you've transported me again to this time, place, tragedy, which also exists outside of time, and inside of mankind, as all great tragedies do.

[Chris Shaw]

An old poem Andra, yes it is a tragedy and confined to poetry history. If I can transport you then I have been successful in my own aims as a poet. I am delighted that I can do that for you as a reader and thank you so much for your visit and review. Always welcome.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Wow! Thank you for the lesson in poetic history. I had no idea about Assia and her suicide. So tragic! Honestly, I can't imagine anything good coming from an affair with a married man. The foundation is one of lies and distrust, and I don't believe that bodes well for withstanding future storms.

I just read how she not only killed herself but their four-year old daughter, Shura. How terribly sad.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Linda, it is indeed a tragic story in poetry history. Pleased my poem triggered some further reading interest. Always pleased to have your thoughts on my page. Have a good week.

Chris

[red93]

Like others who have commented on this piece, I am uneasy with the Cult of Sylvia, or indeed Assia, or anything that glorifies suicide. A fine piece of Writing nevertheless Chris. Btw, someone I directed at Oxford was the Producer of the 2003 Biopic, Sylvia, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony and for the add on interest too. A tragic tale all round.
All the best.
read moreThank you Tony and for the add on interest too. A tragic tale all round.
All the best.

Chris

[red93]

I think it is important to realise as well Chris, when considering the Plath/ Hughes Mythos, that Sylvia did not disclose any of her history of Mental Health Issues to Ted before they married.

[FGFRANKLIN]

What can I say about crazy people? They're nuts. It doesn't matter what sort of "meaning" one attempts to attach to insanity, it's still crazy. Poor Sylvia wasn't very good at suicide. It took her at least a half dozen tries to get the thing accomplished. You'd think someone should have had her locked up by that point in a room with padded walls. Who knows why people stay in toxic relationships that damage the psyche? Who knows why serial killers target random strangers? Not everything has a meaning or an explanation but I'd mark the lot "crazy" and steer clear of wanting to know. This was an interesting biographical tribute.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian for sharing your thoughts. Part of poetry history now.. They were certainly troubled and Ted was no saint . All the best.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

oh my goodness i have just been reading about these women, Ted must have been quite a weak individual i think considering he was a Yorkshireman.
One couldn't cope with the other's pregnamncy and the other couldn't cope with the memories of the first one ... what a terrible love triangle he caused.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella. An older write out for an airing. A tragic situation all round. Three lives extinguished and I can’t help feeling Ted must have been truly difficult to live with.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Ooh, he must have been .. he comes across as a very self centered individual which a lot of men who find fame are ... it's all about them !

[Chris Shaw]

I think you have a very valid point there Stella:) Good morning to you .

[Neville]

I can remember many years ago sitting around a fire and discussing these very issues with friends and the events that both preceded the tragedies you refer to & occurred afterwards .. such troubled spirits Chris .. I am seriously impressed with poetic depiction .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. I find it hard to believe Assia followed the same demise as Sylvia and killed her daughter in the process. Must be something about Ted. Pleased you liked this one which Jacob inspired. An old piece. Thanks for airing it.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Profound tragedy.
Two gifted women who, apparently, found death's rot more comforting than
life's light.
Exceptional work, Christine Anne!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. Totally inspired by Jacob for this write. We had been chatting about Plath and her relationship with Ted. I'm so pleased to see you have given this one an airing. Yes both talented poets who had Ted Hughes in common.

Chris

[Dave]

What a wonderful yet so sad a tribute to these beautiful and talented people.
This is so beautifully expressive - thank you Chris.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit Dave. They were all very talented, but sadly we're linked by tragedy. All good wishes.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

I didn't read your notes intitally but instantly caught the story. Sylvia, Ted and Assia. The travails of this creative trumvirate.
This is an extremly strong yet sympathetic write. There are lines I wish I had written and the whole stands up very well as a tribute and an understanding.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit Ken and your thoughtful response. I appreciate your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris