Sylvia

A tribute to Sylvia Plath.

If Marilyn was a candle
in the wind,
you were an
oxyacetylene torch,
and your self immolation
was inevitable.

Reviews

[WerTherBeDragons]

Having started to familiarise myself with Slyvia's history & works (after your introduction-many thanks for that by the way :-)) I think your poem captures her brilliance with panache. Also - notice a parallel between your short verse, which 'speaks volumes' & her short life, which did so too.

[Zugzwang]

Thanks for the compliment! She certainly was a special kind of poet, if rather dark. As previously mentioned, I'm fascinated by her and her husband, Ted Hughes. Big mystery there. Imagine what she could have written if she had lived longer!

[Firebird]

I need to read Sylvia Plath's poems. I never sat with them.

[Zugzwang]

'Arial' and 'The Collossus' are the big 2 I think, with Arial being the standout....those were the poems she wrote in the months leading up to her death. They're stark and disturbing, though. I like them because I try to be confessional, you may not....not sure. I'm sure you can check some out for free on the net.

[Firebird]

Yes I'm a confession addict. .. And I'm not Catholic.

[Zugzwang]

Pity...I've heard that Catholic guilt is the best kind (!)

[Firebird]

Is that so?! I'd rather confess to a person than a faceless priest. Acceptance is better than redemption.

[terry smith]

As it is with many a great one...they are more a comet than a star, blazing trails the rest of us can only hope to get a glimpse of. Nicely done!!

[Zugzwang]

A comet indeed! How privileged we are to have caught a glimpse of such brilliance, but there's so much of it around. Too many books and not enough time!!

[Autumn Lyric]

Working around books for several years, I have come across the works of this poet and many others. This is an excellent piece of writing you have done to describe such a troubled and gifted soul. I am currently into reading the works of another Confessional Poet, Anne Sexton. Groundbreaking poets...that are difficult to emulate and master...

[Zugzwang]

Yes, Anne Sexton is fantastic. I dimly remember the poem she wrote after Plath's death, and I think that's how I got the idea myself. That, and for some reason having that Elton John song in my mind after watching a youtube documentary about Plath. Inspiration can be weird sometimes!

[Autumn Lyric]

Both music and words can be a powerful median when put together for writing inspirations... not weird, just awesome! - LHh

[Zugzwang]

Thanks! I got the idea for 'starlight' from a Hollywood movie! I guess I'm just a derivative person!! 😃

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is so accurate, she definitely was a torch, ready to combust...did my Masters thesis on Plath and Sexton...Sylvia is my favorite poet next to Emily, and this poem is close to my heart.

[Zugzwang]

I didn't know you had a Masters. I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy! (chanelling Wayne's World there)read moreI didn't know you had a Masters. I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy! (chanelling Wayne's World there)
Yar, I do like my confessional poets but am not very widely read. I assume you are talking about Emily Dickinson, whom I have not read (Mea Culpa!!).
Well, what can you say about Plath, really? Just an incandescent talent...she was described somewhere as being 'demoniacally intelligent'. I don't pretend to understand half of what she wrote but it's impossible to miss her ferocious energy. Amazing. Now, I'm off to hit the books...
BTW, feel free to criticise publicly or give pointers. I welcome feedback.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ah, no....not about worthiness...have to have the Masters to teach in the community colleges...not sure how i achieved getting one....made it through somehow....oh...read Emily...she is wonderful.

[Zugzwang]

Will download onto kindle immediately (books are best but you can't beat convenience!)

[Zugzwang]

Yep...Emily's the greatest. Reading lots now. Fascinating person and poetry. Very otherworldly. Ted Hughes assembled a collection, don't you know? It was great but altogether too brief!

[Quill]

seems like a pretty harsh fate, for Sylvia, just one question though what is an oxy acetalyne torch?

[Zugzwang]

Hi Arnold. An oxy acetalyne torch is a piece of welding equipment with an amazingly bright and hot flame, used for cutting metal. Sylvia Plath was a famous confessional poet who took her own life in 1963. I have been fascinated with her life story and poetry for a while now.