I Am Vertical
by: Sylvia Plath
But I would rather be horizontal.
I am not a tree with my root in the soil
Sucking up minerals and motherly love
So that each March I may gleam into leaf,
Nor am I the beauty of a garden bed
Attracting my share of Ahs and spectacularly painted,
Unknowing I must soon unpetal.
Compared with me, a tree is immortal
And a flower-head not tall, but more startling,
And I want the one's longevity and the other's daring.
Tonight, in the infinitesimallight of the stars,
The trees and the flowers have been strewing their cool odors.
I walk among them, but none of them are noticing.
Sometimes I think that when I am sleeping
I must most perfectly resemble them--
Thoughts gone dim.
It is more natural to me, lying down.
Then the sky and I are in open conversation...
by: Sylvia Plath
But I would rather be horizontal.
I am not a tree with my root in the soil
Sucking up minerals and motherly love
So that each March I may gleam into leaf,
Nor am I the beauty of a garden bed
Attracting my share of Ahs and spectacularly painted,
Unknowing I must soon unpetal.
Compared with me, a tree is immortal
And a flower-head not tall, but more startling,
And I want the one's longevity and the other's daring.
Tonight, in the infinitesimallight of the stars,
The trees and the flowers have been strewing their cool odors.
I walk among them, but none of them are noticing.
Sometimes I think that when I am sleeping
I must most perfectly resemble them--
Thoughts gone dim.
It is more natural to me, lying down.
Then the sky and I are in open conversation...
20 comments:
What an insightful piece you've picked to share with us. This is a universal call for us all to take the time each day to be horizontal, to stop for a moment and inhale the overwhelming beauty that surrounds us.
Thank you, sweet Lorena.
This is a very deep poem. It fits well with the picture.
Great post!
Sylvia Plath..a fav of mine..and yes an open conversation with sky is a divine conversation..and it is exactly what I sought in my post http://painauchocolat.blogspot.com/2006/07/seeking-sky.html#comments
Thank you!
:)
P.S : Your pics are so lovely!
the ever majestic Sylvia...
Tristram Shandy, a fictional character says that the throes of passion -both pain and pleasure are best felt in a horizontal position. I'd have to agree -think of all those times you collapse on a bed sobbing or fall over, roaring with laughter.
Is this you Lorena? Nice grass and cute picture overall. It makes me think it was taken in the eighties -something about the shade of the jeans. They are dated somehow in my mind. Maybe not. Just a speculation.
Awesome picture-poem combo as always.
Eclectic choice of poem (new to me) and novel shot. You still have such style, Lorena x
Hey do visit sometime, methinks Pincushion has been forgotten! :(
love those greens and the style!miss your blog too!
kind regards!
So profoundly Sylvia. Love her poetry and writing.
Enjoyed the photo.
Missed seeing you at my blog.
Now I have a new address.
Excellent pairing of photo & poem! And what a great poem!
i see your still posting great pics.. very cool keep it up
I think I'm in love with Sylvia Plath. Is it possible to love a ghost?
Anyway, that photo adds such great dimension to the poem.
What a wonderful thought and apt photo. Loved this.
This is lovely.
"Silvia Plath. Interesting poetress whose tragic suicide was mistaken as romantic by college girl mentality"--Woody Allen
Just kidding. I like Plath and I enjoy your posts always!
am digressing here, but it reminded me of the one book i have read by sylvia plath...the saddest book i have ever read and scary too...
she killed herself even though she was brilliant...makes me really scared and sad
how have you been sweetie...:)
Love S.P.'s work. Almost buried this one. Glad you posted it.
I always liked your pics.
Update...Grrrr
Let the conversation continue...very nice!
Lorena: Kat Magendie is having Poetry Month at her site in October. Maybe you would like to submit one of your own. Very cool, eh?
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