This is the silence of astounded souls.

It is a profound and eerie stillness that descends upon us when faced with something truly astonishing.

The kind of silence that makes our hearts skip a beat and our minds struggle to comprehend the magnitude of what we are witnessing.

It is as if time itself has come to a standstill, and we are left suspended in a moment of utter disbelief.

Our voices are lost, trapped within the confines of our shocked beings.

The world around us fades away, and all that remains is this deafening silence, punctuated only by the rapid beating of our hearts.

It is a silence that speaks volumes, a silence that holds the weight of our emotions and the magnitude of the experience.

It is a silence that we will remember for a lifetime, a silence that will forever mark the moment when our souls were astounded.

I firmly believe that poetry books in foreign languages should be bilingual. The beauty, technique, complexity, originality, and so on of the author's words should never be overshadowed by the translation of the poem. However, still, naturally, it makes perfect sense to translate poetry.

Tulips, Lorelei, Black Rook on Rainy Weather, and Poppies in July are my favorite poems in the book, in this order (Tulips being indisputably my favorite).

Poetry is a unique form of art that conveys deep emotions and complex ideas through the power of words. When we read poetry in a foreign language, we may not fully understand the nuances and subtleties of the original text. A bilingual edition allows us to appreciate the beauty of the original language while also having the convenience of a translation to help us understand the meaning.

Moreover, translation is an important way to spread poetry across different cultures and languages. It enables people who do not speak the original language to access and enjoy the works of great poets from around the world. By translating poetry, we can promote cultural exchange and understanding, and enrich our own literary and artistic horizons.

Love is an emotion that has the power to transform our lives. It can bring us joy, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment. Love can take many forms, such as romantic love, platonic love, or the love we have for our family and friends.

When we experience love, it can make us feel like we are on top of the world. We may feel a rush of excitement and passion, or a deep sense of calm and contentment. Love can also inspire us to be better people, to strive for our goals, and to make a positive difference in the world.

However, love is not always easy. It can bring challenges and difficulties, such as heartbreak, disappointment, and conflict. But it is through these experiences that we learn and grow, and that our love becomes stronger and more resilient.

In conclusion, love is a beautiful and powerful emotion that enriches our lives in countless ways. Whether we are experiencing the highs or the lows of love, it is always worth it. So let us cherish the love in our lives and continue to spread love and kindness to those around us.

The first thing I've read after a long period of not reading (even though the stack of books next to my desk keeps growing). I picked this up at the Salvation Army for just $0.39 last week and finished it quickly. This collection was unfamiliar to me, and it contains my new favorite Plath poem - Black Rook in Rainy Weather. This review is sort of a boast, but I don't know and I don't care. After finishing it on the C train, I spent the rest of the ride pondering if it's too wasteful to open a Threadless store. On one hand, it's clearly less wasteful to make t-shirts and such on demand. Every time I go to the NYABF, CAB, or wherever, I just envision all the pins, zines, and t-shirts as more junk in a landfill. But I also dislike the idea of having no control over production methods and so on, or contributing even more to a global direct-to-consumer goods chain that is very wasteful in terms of resources like fuel. If any of you have an opinion on this, I'd love to hear it. Anyway, what I'm saying is that I might open a Threadless store and have some silly t-shirts that my friends and enemies can buy. By the way, Rand, if you read this, I still want you to print that I Love NY t-shirt when you're done with your thesis. Looking forward to seeing you next month. Erik and Cortney, have fun in Japan! Send me a postcard.

Anyway, welcome to my new blog. I guess I have to read more books in order to blog more.

I guess this is pretty much what I expected it would be, to be honest. I think I read The Bell Jar many years ago. I don't remember much of it, but I know the general essence of Sylvia Plath.

Some of the imagery in the book is truly striking and memorable. It leaves a deep impression on the reader. Overall, it's just kind of a testament to how woefully inadequate our mental health care was during that era. It definitely paints a certain portrait of Plath that is in line with her well-known persona.

We can see through the pages of the book how she struggled with her inner demons and the challenges she faced in a society that was not very understanding of mental illness. It makes us reflect on how far we have come in terms of mental health awareness and treatment, but also reminds us that there is still a long way to go.

The Bell Jar is not just a novel, but a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the impact of society on mental health. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the works of Sylvia Plath and the complex issues surrounding mental illness.

She makes me cry.

I accidentally came across a poem from the ninth grade. At that time, I had one of those teachers whom you would remember forever. The poem was "Mirror". It is about the process of growing old.

As soon as I saw it, I just started crying loudly. The feeling is indescribable.

Anyway, je t’aime Sylvia Plath. Thank you for showing the world what it is like to be a woman. Your works have always had a profound impact on me.

The way you describe the reality and the emotions of women is so vivid and touching. It makes me deeply understand the complexity and beauty of being a woman.

Your poem "Mirror" is like a mirror that reflects the true face of life and the inner world of women. It makes me think about my own life and the meaning of growing old.

Once again, thank you, Sylvia Plath. Your works will always be an important part of my life.

I cannot precisely pinpoint the origin of the magic that Plath's works exert on me.

When I peruse her poems, it feels as if a sister has emerged and clasped my hand in the darkness.

She seems incapable of making a misstep, and like a beloved elder, she is always astute and sagacious.

I am unable to offer criticism; I am an adoring fan.

Yet.

When I read aloud, I struggle to find the music within.

Here is an image that fails to spring to life, and here is something that appears dated.

Plath is not flawless, as I can now perceive, and thus I can discern where her strengths lie: in her fearless exploration of the depths, in her glacial clarity, in her sharp wit, and in her tender wisdom.

She writes extensively about women: her own experiences as a woman, regarding the female body, and female roles.

Her work is a product of its time in that regard - it serves as a marker hinting at how much (or how little) progress feminism has achieved and how much it has transformed.

Her anxiety about ageing is unbearably poignant in "Mirror".

Elsewhere, she attains a mystical tone, a voice intoning a rite, as if ringing the bones.

She has a sense of the shadow cast over us by death.

Stone and water, plants and the body are her elemental themes.

She is ceremonial. Yet always sisterly, intimate.

Perhaps that is the magic...

Some truly, truly lovely poems are present in this collection. However, for the most part, they don't quite align with my personal taste. This is especially after having adored Ariel so very much.

I have a particular fondness for the poem "I Am Vertical". It contains such beautiful lines like: "I shall be useful when I lie down finally / then the trees may touch me for once, and the flowers have / time for me".

Also, there is an almost fatal preoccupation with whiteness in this collection. I am planning to conduct research on this aspect when I have the time. I will be extremely interested to discover whether there is a significant amount of literature that examines this collection through a postcolonial lens or with a focus on whiteness. Overall, it has been a generally enjoyable read, and I am certain that I will come back to many of these poems in the future.

I look forward to delving deeper into the exploration of this collection and uncovering more of its hidden gems and unique characteristics.

This statement "Quite obscure at places, but I'm biased" is rather concise. It seems to suggest that there are certain aspects or areas that are not very clear or easily understood. However, the person making the statement admits to having a bias.

Perhaps this bias could be influencing their perception of what is obscure. It might be that they have a particular perspective or preference that is causing them to view certain things in a certain way.

It would be interesting to know more about the context in which this statement was made. What exactly is being referred to as obscure? And what is the nature of the bias?

By exploring these questions further, we could gain a better understanding of the situation and perhaps even find ways to clarify the obscure areas.

Overall, this simple statement holds the potential for further investigation and analysis.

I have a great passion for reading the works of Plath. Her poems are truly remarkable as they are extremely accessible.

In her poetry, she employs vivid and concrete descriptions within her imagery, and makes creative and unique comparisons through her metaphors. It's almost like the experience one would have when reading her novel The Bell Jar.

Years ago, when I was just a child, I happened to read the poem "Mirror" without even knowing who the poet was at that time. So, it was an absolute delight when I came across those familiar words once again in this collection.

For my friends who often shy away from poems because they think they are too "lofty" or have "intentional ambiguity," I would highly recommend that they give Crossing the Water a try. This collection is sure to change their perception and introduce them to the wonderful world of poetry.

I am currently brushing up on Plath for a presentation.

This collection of 9 poems originates from the years between THE COLOSSUS and ARIEL, specifically from 1960 to late 1961.

Reading this as a stand-alone book truly makes me realize that Plath was an outstanding poet when inspiration struck her.

She had an incredible gift for writing.

However, her death was a tragic event.

It is a great pity that her work is frequently overshadowed by her untimely demise.

People often focus more on the circumstances surrounding her death rather than fully appreciating the depth and beauty of her poetry.

Nonetheless, her words continue to resonate and have a profound impact on readers.

It is important to look beyond the tragedy and recognize the genius that Plath was.

Her poems are a testament to her talent and should be studied and celebrated for their own merits.

By delving into this collection, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of her work and be able to share her brilliance with others during my presentation.

A very mixed bag but overall a pleasant read. I have to say that I prefer Plath most when her poems home in on a specific character and evoke a very specific time and place. It's as if she can paint a vivid picture in my mind with her words. However, the more abstract pieces were sometimes a bit overwhelming and hard to grasp what was being portrayed. It was like trying to catch a moving target. Nevertheless, many parts of Plath’s verse were surprisingly witty, which added an interesting touch to her work. And the overall references to mythology and nature were really fun. It made me feel like I was exploring a whole new world through her eyes. My personal favourites were: In Plaster, The Surgeon at 2 a.m., Widow, Mirror and Zoo Keeper’s Wife. Each of these poems had its own unique charm and left a lasting impression on me.