Sylvia

I ride these cresting waves with you

and when at last you bring me to the shore

I find that a fist has crept up

and holds tight these words 

as a rock atop my chest

binding there this naked truth

that will not let me go

until I have been able to

write it anew 

  

you have taken captive my soul 

and hold it for ransom

until I am

enough

to repay this debt

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the muse took her captive, tis true.

syliva was an amazing poet...your first stanza sounds so much like her.

but then there was ted..no wonder the "fist crept up"

i did my thesis on her and sexton...love them both...

the tortured artists...sylvia is the definition of that...fighting to gain recognition in a man's poetic world...to get recognized.....she repaid the debt a thousand times, in my eyes.

[Kristina Moulaison]

Your flattery is too much, that I could sound like her! For just a moment I took it in, swoon! Would love to read your thesis. How fascinating. You state it truly, her plight. It makes her words so much more precious, but an antidepressant may have been nice? You would know better than I. But what we would we be left with then? Is it not the depth of our passion that spills itself upon the page and sometimes, if we're lucky, sounds like the music we seek? Thanks again!

[Frieda P]

This is great...

'you have taken captive my soul
and hold it for ransom'

So true...seems we have a few writes in common, I love this, great tribute.

[Kristina Moulaison]

Yes! I feel like my soul bleeds to be able to write with a fraction of the soul she was able to put on the page. I don't know that I will ever be enough...but in trying I feel I am on the right path.

[Frieda P]

I don't think it's so much writing in the same manner, it's putting your own guts out there, personal for everyone and very raw.

[Kristina Moulaison]

True. There is a book I've meant to read more of called "Telling Writing" that talks about speaking plain, raw truth without all the pretentiousness. She was amazing at that.

[Frieda P]

Well I'll never live up to the legend, I doubt she ever wrote about shoegasms or fookin unicorns....haa

[Kristina Moulaison]

Oh...LOL, I haven't gotten to that yet. anyway, be yourself I always say! :)

[Clockwork]

She was quite a poem. It is great to be able to connect with a writer in this way. In some regard, I don't think that she will ever die as long as people remember her this way. I am like this towards Poe and William Blake.

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thanks! It is beautiful to have your words immortalizes as hers are. I love Poe too! Not that familiar with William Blake. I will read some now though. Thank you!

[Clockwork]

You are most welcome! They are both wonderful writers. I'm glad to hear that :-)

[Kristina Moulaison]

Love all the quotes on your page too!

[Coyote Poetry]

Sylvia led many writers into a different place. Her words danced on life and death. I like how you wrote about her memory. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem.
Coyote