ms plath
you were born a tin monkey
yes
with a scorponic air
but still a
monkey
ms plath
how i wish your name was
ms green
you see
ms green lives in a little white house
loves her little white mouse
goodwill and golden swill
and her apron stories smell of cookies
dead red dogwoods
and a lemon that just shouts
clean
while yours
are
burnt cake
but oh
she still loved you
still had you in a womb embrace
and you suckled her white poison
as you crooned
nothing like
mama
yet i can forgive your honest insanity
your gun-shy logic and suicide smile
but why couldn’t you have runned to fat
ms plath
gotten droopy ass with tattoos skipping from sleeve to soul
could you not have inked yourself a moment longer
instead of betraying her by dying
13 years before she was born
you should’ve been the granddame of worms
rather then just a
mere dirt
daughter
so
ms plath
you were born a monkey
and though you shat out
dragon bones the color of her name
i am glad a rabbit ate you up
Author notes
This is dedicated to my cousin, Teresa...who adored Sylvia and whose life, like Plath's was cut too shortly. Both had their own genius and will be missed greatly.
NOTE: Plath was born a Scorpio in the year of the Monkey (1932), and died in the year of the Rabbit (1963). And my cousin was born in the year of the Dragon (1976).
May they both rest in peace...
Written January 28th, 2006
A contest entry
- prewrites by aeolia.
400 points, ended October 26, 2008, 130 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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Oh, my... I am so very sorry for your loss, and I do hope that writing this has given you some closure. The language is superb, and the emotional impact, along with the imagery and incorporation of Chinese astrology, is just over the top! I was born in the year of the Rabbit myself.
I agree with hiraeth completely; this is obviously VERY personal, yet you haven't resorted to the senseless "poor-me" syndrome that seems to have overrun this site. You are obviously a very strong person, and my hat is off to you for being able to write this with such intensity.
I know that you will fare amazingly in Christie's contest. Bravo!
Laura, aka Immortal
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I obviously have never known Teresa, but from what I gather of her from your writing, she must have been beautiful and amazingly talented. Just reading this and knowing what it's more so about sheds so much light (how I hate that phrase, it's so "bullshitted essay" ish) on that poem of yours, "Anne and Sylvia." It's one of my favourites of yours, if not THE favourite.
Anyways. You know what I think already: I adore this. The imagery, metaphors, and the fact that this was personal and obviously emotional, yet you don't succumb to artlessly whining like 99% of poets. My one gripe is the background colour.
Thank you so much for the entry & good luck!
-hiraeth
PS: "granddame of worms" is amazing. -
I'm sorry for your cousin, you didn't say so I won't ask if the similarity with Ms. Plath extended to her manner of passing.
Everyone on AP has to write a poem about Plath...I think it's in the by-laws. Don't get mad, because I wrote one too, well, a story. lol.
For those of us (that would be me I guess) who don't suffer like Plath (and so many others.) We find it hard to accept her death...and even harder to accept how part of her fame rests upon that death. Her gifts are undeniable...and that again is part of the anger.
But the poem isn't really about Plath, but about your cousin, and I'm sorry for your loss, and everyone who misses her. I have enjoyed the three poems I have read tonight...I was led to you by a reader of yours who responded to a post in my Moxie group (where I'm God if you can believe that, lol.) where I asked members to recommend a poet here on AP that I might enjoy. It appears your fan has good taste.
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You are too kind, sir. I'm delighted that I have not been a disappointment.
Please tell my 'fan' thank you.
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Interesting
A lot of personal feelings going on in this write, I feel moved by the comparison to your loss and that of Plath. I do not think I have the full grasp of such poetry and am in awe of people who can write like this and for those less in the knowledge to say - WoW I liked that.. I hope that made sense.. Good luck in the contest and thank you so much for one of the most interesting well penned writes x -
THIS would be the PERFECT entry for Zayra's mercy contest. Oh man, especially that last great line about the rabbit eating her up. But, they aren't taking pre-writes so... since I'm banned from winning a trophy there, lol, for the love of the goddess, go write something about Teresa and enter it.
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I saw the Title and I'm sorry I couldn't resist a plug for Oldpoetry whilst I was here.
www.oldpoetry.com/authors/Sylvia%20Plath
I think if she were to read your poem here she would be able to indentify with not only the style but the content too. A brilliant piece of work.
Vonnie~
Oldpoetry Team -
NurseChilly... I'm applauding your comment. Teresa was a personal friend of mine, aside from being Darcy's cousin, and you have no idea how it has moved me and Darcy (since I read her your comment while on the phone with her just now) that you remembered the title of those pieces. It truly brings home how attentive and caring you really are. Bravo to you. Although always having respect for you, it is suddenly tripled, and then some.
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wow this is really good. i don't know what else to say, so i'll just give it my applause.
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Hello D. This knocks me flat on my back, I'm sure I don't understand it all, or a quarter of it, but what a vivid contrast between the cookies and the apron, and the torments of someone you loved.... A poem that bares reflection.
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Outbloodystanding... I miss seeing Theresa's poetry on your page.. Dead Mouth was outstanding and Big Ugly.. I hope I got those titles right???
this is a fabulous piece hun... absoulutely ...
As you know I love Mizz Plath.. so this suits me down to the ground
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Wow . Terrific write although i can understand your sadness and i guess anger such a waste of life .
and her apron stories smells of cookies
dead red dogwoods
and a lemon that just shouts
clean
...Loved how you put that .
Good luck in the comp
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wonderbread
wicked chief, completely wicked. My hat is off to you....psh. I'm pretty much rolling around on the ground from the greatness in this. Really though mate, this was brilliant. Ace piece of work. Peace love and the ness. -
this is outstanding - no more words are here ...
elaine
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loves her little white mouse
goodwill and golden swill
and her apron stories smells of cookies
dead red dogwoods
and a lemon that just shouts
clean
oh god this hit close to home. I am afraid my mother will do what Sylvia did everyday of my life. I do suppose this was about her and her daughter, and for some reason i could read it as being about me and my mother. this is a stunning piece and i think possibly the one i can relate to the most which i have ever read. your cousin is a woman you have never talked to me about, but for some reason i feel there is a lot of her in you. there are things i would like to say to you about this subject, although i doubt this is the place.
once again, amazing piece.
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Extrordinary
I actually like this and it took me a while to decide that I did....it made me feel slightly uncomfortable and intially I clicked away....My mother was born a Scorpio in the year of the Monkey.
I love the apron analogy....contrasting and idealised idea of motherhood with Plaths mothering experiences.
i am glad a rabbit ate you up
Extrordinary. Powerful Stark and commanding - good luck in the contest
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I believe I was born in the year of the Tiger, though I've never quite understood the whole astrological/zodiac thing, but then again, that's just me.
I had a feeling this was yours; I figured either you, Jane or Elena (p b without the j) wrote it. I must say, it's a fine poem; who knows, perhaps Mrs. Plath could even be amused at this at the moment (in a good way, of course)--wouldn't surprise me.
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