Taxi (for anne sexton)

Taxi   (for anne sexton)

 

 

 

smote with cellophane mouth

kissing the steering wheel

of frantic pose

calmly

turning away from life

 

she exhaled one final time

the windshield

for her, lucid conclusion

the clarity of life in death

closes her eyes softly

 

overcome with the vapors of

valiant struggle,

her "ride

with our boy death."

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/28/2020

Reviews

[Relic]

She was preoccupied with death and finally took a sleepy ride to found out.
So many writers were tortured souls. Meant to express themselves before taking the big exit.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

So true, Relic....thank you for your words,
j.

[Ayvid N]

What a beautiful description of her exit....I feel she was curious about death...wanted to experience it keenly...Such exceptionally brilliant minds can't be bound or made to stay...They chose to stay and to leave, if they decide there's nothing more to it. She must be out there, having such a mind-blowing ride!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, I think she was DIVYA...in her poem, Wanting to Die, she said
"even now I have nothing against life" in other words, no real pull towards suicide. Like you said, more of a curiosity...Thank you,
j.

[Vicki T.]

Love this poem and Anne Sexton!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Vicki...I did my masters thesis on her and Plath...
j.

[Vicki T.]

Both tortured souls. I taught high school English and many students were drawn to Plath after being introduced to her life experiences and ultimately her death. I also conducted a book club in the summer with former students (on their own!) to read "The Bell Jar." We sat around and discussed it for hours on my front porch. You must have such a deeper understanding of their work. Now that I'm retired...maybe I'll dig in to some more of their work!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"The Bell Jar" yes, such a curious novel, published under a different pseudonym....for anonymity...
And Ted...Oh don't get me started on that b*****d.
His poetry is so good, but I cannot like it...and his second wife died as his first, but also with their four year old daughter by her side.
that is really tragic.
There is something about Ted.
j.

[Vicki T.]

I must dose research on that. I love the drama and history surrounding literature. Literature is not written in a vacuum, but is created from the lives we lead. I wonder if Ted...

[Ruth]

One of my favourite writers, I was reading her a couple of days ago. This piece is a wonderful nod to such a soul, she inspired me in many ways. I found/find her (as many did/do) not only a powerful woman but also a seriously under rated artist...you have voiced about her thoughts of finality in a way she would be honoured to be remembered Jacob, amazing poem :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Ruth...
j.

[emmajoy]

' I have ridden in your cart, driver,~ waved my nude arms at villages going by ~ learning the last bright routes, survivor.~ here your flames still bite my thigh and my ribs crack where your wheels wind.~ A woman like that is not ashamed to die. ~ I have been her kind.'

So she wrote.. and more. Could ironically say: true to the end. The mind plays cruel games with poets.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, she and Plath and Berryman and Jarrell
reasons for wanting to as Anne put it..."release my breath from its bad prison"

thank you em.

[emmajoy]

How tragic that short phrase is.. but, applies to so much and too often. Perhaps in in a different way these days.

[Coyote Poetry]

Anne is one of my favorites. One of many who loved death more than life Jacob. Powerful and strong words shared my friend.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your sentiments, Coyote...
Yes, she was a good one, and good friends with Plath.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved her writing. she was wonderful and you are welcome Jacob.

[Chris Shaw]

Tragic end for this poet plagued with mental health problems. Suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning at 45 years old. Found dead in her own car, in her own garage. Pity she checked out so early on. Our loss I think.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, our loss...although the critics said she was pretty much written out by then...I guess she thought it was time...she even said in her poem "Wanting to Die" "Even now I have nothing against life"

J.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

When a loved one dies our life becomes clesrer. Then it becomes blurry again.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Dale.
j.

[poetgurl]

Wow!! so deep here,highly emotional. I like the vivid imagery i got in this. awesome write

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words,
j.