I didn't have the slightest desire for any flowers. What I truly wanted was something completely different.

I longed to simply lie down, with my hands turned up towards the sky, and be in a state of utter emptiness.

No thoughts, no distractions, just a pure and unadorned void within me.

In this state of emptiness, I hoped to find a sense of peace and tranquility that I had never known before.

To be free from the burdens and pressures of the world, to let go of all the expectations and desires that had been weighing me down.

It was a longing for a kind of simplicity and purity that seemed almost impossible to achieve in this complex and chaotic world.

But still, I yearned for it, with a fierceness that surprised even myself.

Perhaps it was in this emptiness that I would finally discover who I truly was, and what my purpose in life really was.

Only time would tell if this longing would ever be fulfilled.

Plath's edition of Ariel is truly a remarkable work.

It commences with the theme of love, which immediately draws the reader in and sets a profound tone. Love, in all its complexity and beauty, is explored and expressed through her vivid and powerful language.

As the work progresses, it gradually transitions and culminates with the arrival of spring. The significance of this ending cannot be overstated. Spring represents new beginnings, hope, and rebirth.

It is as if Plath is suggesting that even after the turmoil and darkness of love, there is always the possibility of renewal and a fresh start.

This edition of Ariel, with its unique structure and profound themes, is truly the only one that should have been published in 1965. It stands as a testament to Plath's genius and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in such a profound and moving way.

Unforgettably beautiful. Each poem is rich with imagery, emotion, passion, movement, texture.

Sylvia Plath has smeared her depression, jealousy, rage, desire into this frenzy of words. It is truly amazing to me that mere words, letters slapped together, can evoke such intense feelings (both in the one writing it and the one reading it).

I can admit that I knew very little about Plath before I delved into this collection, but "Ariel" has made me hungry for more, more, more. This is one artist who will have a continuous impact on my curiosity, imagination, and creativity.

The most glorious part of this entire collection? She starts it with "Love" and ends it with "Spring." Despite her various bouts of emotional upheaval, she was able to find beauty and hope in life and emphasize that in her entire poetic project.

Plath's words seem to dance on the page, pulling the reader into her complex and often tumultuous world. Her use of vivid imagery and powerful emotions makes each poem a unique and unforgettable experience.

From the opening lines of "Love," which set the tone for the collection, to the final stanza of "Spring," which offers a glimmer of hope and renewal, Plath takes the reader on a journey through the depths of her soul.

It is this ability to convey such raw and honest emotions through the written word that makes Sylvia Plath one of the most important and influential poets of the 20th century.

‘That still, blue, almost eternal hour before cockrow, before the baby’s cry, before the glassy music of the milkman, settling his bottles.’ This description creates a vivid and almost eerie image. The stillness of the pre-dawn hour is palpable, with the absence of the usual sounds that mark the start of a new day. The blue color perhaps symbolizes the mystery and tranquility of that moment.

‘This poem is called ‘Lady Lazarus.’ The speaker is a woman who has the great and terrible gift of being reborn. The only trouble is, she has to die first.’ The concept of being reborn is both fascinating and disturbing. It implies a cycle of death and rebirth that the speaker has to endure. The title ‘Lady Lazarus’ evokes the biblical story of Lazarus, who was raised from the dead. In this poem, the woman seems to have a similar experience, but with her own unique twist.

‘Here is a poem spoken by a girl with an Electra complex. Her father died while she thought he was God.’ The mention of the Electra complex adds an interesting psychological dimension to the poem. The girl's perception of her father as God and his subsequent death must have had a profound impact on her. This poem may explore her feelings of loss, confusion, and perhaps even resentment.