SIDE STEPPING PLATH

Folder: 
JOURNAL # 40

I have read somewhat aghast
of the aforementioned muse
though he speaks of her in
polite gradual tones
(that is Ted Hughes I'm referring to)
her embodiment of work
leaves to me too few clues
perhaps I am dense
or just incapable to see through
such violent and disturbing cues
such as her writing seems to
so darkly attribute
depression and suicide were never
my selected forte'
nor blessedly was I ever afflicted
I must round to be fair and say
it's the joie de vrie in which I seek
to absorb and display
blood, darkness and perpetual mental
anguish coupled in humorous alliteration
I cannot in good conscience lend my
creativity to
for I always wish to reach
farther and farther up
within myself
not manage to stoop lower and lower still
and describe it all in such clever detail
the pathetic rancidness of all the muck
for that would not bespeak well
of my over all genial heart and
amiable mind
I'll leave this world only when God
says my dear it is your time
not that I believe myself to be better
than any published distressed 60's poetess
I'd just as soon rather choose
to cheerfully sort out and
clean up my own fretful mess
giving the world  A Come Full Circle View
of a woman/poetess who feels utterly
and truly most very blessed
so my pen is uncapped for you Sylvia
but still, you shall ever remain for me
not at all my particular cup of tea
for I choose to point out the beauty in life
more so over the humor in dying
or one's death.........................
(March 27, 2011 1247am)
 

Author's Notes/Comments: 

I read an article not long ago written several years ago about Ted Hughes and his poetry. I knew he was once married to Sylvia Plath and reading about his life and recalling my reading of Sylvia Plath poems after many urging me to do so, thinking I would enjoy them I was shocked at all the darkness and I recall it bothering me that one uses their obvious talent to write such dark and depressing poetry. I found in some witty humor here and there but to me it seemed almost inappropriate in that particular poem at the time. It was for me a strange experience being exposed to those who so heavily focus on their fractured mental states rather than rising above some of that and attempting to see the beauty in life rather than only further bogging themselves down with all the lowness of their psyche. I, myself have been depressed many times but I deliberately chose not to be lured by those dark thoughts into poetry as I knew it would not be healthy nor all that pretty to read. Kind of like asking a friend to share some heroine with you so they can see what you see when you are high on that stuff ( not that I have! I'm  just  using this as an example) but anyway, this poem came from my experience of reading that old article and recalling my shock after having read the Plath poems many years ago after much prodding by friends. I just hope it doesn't make me seem lofty as that was never my intention.

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