What a truly wonderful read!

I don't say this lightly, but Plath was a true talent. Her work is simply amazing.

I picked up her poetry on a whim and have spent the last month rereading and mulling over her words.

Her words have the power to make a cool summer breeze feel like a cyclone. Everything she says hits with a huge BOOM. She has an absolute way with words that honestly took my breath away.

I laughed, I cried, and felt like I shared every moment with Sylvia - from her writing about her cheating husband to her hospitalizations.

Some of my favorites included "Mirror", "Crossing the Water", and "I am Vertical".

Plath's poetry is a journey through the depths of human emotion. It is raw, honest, and sometimes painful. But it is also beautiful and inspiring.

Her words have the ability to touch the hearts of readers and make them feel things they never thought possible.

If you haven't read Plath's poetry, I highly recommend it. It is an experience you will never forget.

These poems were just... Wow.

Her poems have a remarkable flow, as if they are delicately strung together like pearls on a necklace. Each word seems to be carefully chosen, creating a beautiful and captivating rhythm.

I am really starting to like her poetry! This collection of her poems is truly haunting. There is an underlying theme of death that runs through many of her works, which gives the impression that this was a journey towards her suicide, perhaps something she felt compelled to fulfill.

She comes across as fragile, like a broken object that has been glued back together, but not very well. There is a sense of vulnerability and sadness in her words that is palpable. I really hope that writing these poems helped her in some way, perhaps allowing her to express emotions that she couldn't otherwise.

Overall, I am very impressed with her poetry and look forward to reading more of her works in the future.

My favourite aspect of Crossing the Water is that with each reading of the collection, a distinct poem manages to capture my attention. This time around, it was ‘Insomniac’ that truly found its way into my heart.

The imagery within this poem is strikingly vivid and deeply relatable to anyone who has endured the sleepless nights, wide awake at 3 am, with a mind inundated by thoughts of the past. I am particularly enamoured with the way the speaker portrays sleeplessness as something that spreads “its fine, irritating sand in all directions.” This description masterfully articulates the unbearable restlessness that accompanies insomnia, the sense that it is both impossible to eradicate and impossible to disregard.

I also have a profound love for the manner in which Plath describes the source of her speaker’s sleeplessness. I am so taken aback by it that I am going to reproduce the entire stanza here: “Over and over the old, granular movie exposes embarrassments - the mizzling days of childhood and adolescence, sticky with dreams, parental faces of tall stalks, alternatively stern and tearful, a garden of buggy roses that made him cry. His forehead is bumpy as a sack of rocks. Memories jostle each other for face-room like obsolete film stars.”

Here, Plath deftly comments on how sleepless nights often turn the mind into a prisoner of memories that we would prefer to forget. I especially cherish the word “jostle” in this stanza. It is as if the memories are shoving and elbowing one another in an effort to占据 the spotlight in the speaker’s mind. I could effortlessly discuss this poem throughout the day, but I will fast-forward to the conclusion. Plath writes: “everywhere people, eyes mica-silver and blank, are riding to work in rows, as if recently brainwashed.” Not even daybreak can offer the speaker any solace, as it simply compels them to exchange one form of monotony for another.

By this point, you might be able to surmise that this poem, and indeed the entire Crossing the Water collection, is unlikely to evoke any emotions of joy, happiness, or hope within you. Nevertheless, it does give voice to extremely complex emotions that are frequently experienced but seldom articulated. For this reason, I believe this to be a remarkably powerful collection. I have perused it a hundred times and will likely do so a hundred more.

Anyway, I really ought to be sleeping instead of penning this review. 5 stars.

This review is, without a doubt, a partial one. Poetry, especially that of Sylvia Plath, is an extremely personal and emotional matter to me.

As the subtitle implies, it is a collection of "transitional poems" rather than a collection of a distinct, complete style from a particular period. From time to time, I came across poems that seemed to be merely a test of devices. Many of the works here are very much a build-up of a scene, a sketch, or a glance of something.

However, none of the above indicates that any of the poems in this collection is inferior to her other, especially the latest, works. It is rather fresh compared to her later works, which are so intense (in emotions and feelings) and condensed (in style and aesthetics). They possess a certain rawness, and sometimes within the lines, there is still room for anger, boredom, and even joy.

But it is entirely Sylvia Plath, and there is no way we can be confused. It is explicitly gothic, much more so than Ariel, in which the gothic-ness has been digested and transformed into something uniquely her own, something that is suffocating. (And we still have some air here in this one.)

Sometimes I think that for me to read this collection is not so much to find a so-called missing link to her later works or to see the complexity of her style and capability, but rather to remind me that besides the darkest moments, there are so many other things that exist within her, and it is not just struggle.

Given to me by a loved one,

this precious gift is cherished like no other.

It holds a special place in my heart, a constant reminder of the love and thoughtfulness that went into giving it.

Plath’s words, which I first read 10 years ago, still echo in me.

Her powerful and evocative language has left an indelible mark on my soul.

Each time I encounter those words, they transport me back to that moment of discovery, and I am once again filled with a sense of wonder and inspiration.

The gift and the words have become intertwined in my mind, creating a beautiful and lasting memory that I will always hold dear.

They serve as a source of comfort and strength, especially in times of need, and I am grateful to have them both in my life.

Plath was a literary genius way ahead of her time.

Her works, filled with profound emotions and unique perspectives, have left an indelible mark on the literary world.

From her early poems to her later novels, Plath explored themes such as identity, depression, and the human condition with a rare intensity and honesty.

Her use of vivid imagery and powerful language made her writing both accessible and deeply engaging.

Despite facing numerous personal challenges and setbacks, Plath continued to create masterpieces that have inspired generations of readers and writers.

Tragically, her life was cut short at a young age, but her literary legacy lives on, a testament to her remarkable talent and vision.

Today, she is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential writers of the 20th century.

It was the very first time that I delved into the enchanting world of Sylvia Plath's poetry.

At that particular moment, I was simultaneously engaged with "The Bell Jar," but for the time being, I had set it aside.

Surprisingly, her poetry proved to be far more captivating than the novel.

The lines were so dark, as if they were shrouded in a thick fog of melancholy.

The density of her words added an extra layer of depth and complexity, making it a truly immersive experience.

It was so incredibly sad, yet it had a strange allure that kept pulling me in.

Reading her poetry made me think deeply about life, love, and all the emotions that come with it.

I have always had a penchant for books that have the power to make me reflect, and Sylvia Plath's poetry did just that.

It opened up a new realm of thoughts and feelings within me, and I am grateful for that first encounter with her beautiful yet tragic words.

My Favourites

Blackberrying is a wonderful activity. It allows one to connect with nature and enjoy the sweet taste of the berries. The process of searching for those juicy blackberries among the thorns is both exciting and rewarding.

I am Vertical is a powerful statement. It implies a sense of strength and stability. Standing tall and firm, one can face the challenges of life with confidence.

Apprehensions, on the other hand, are a part of human nature. We all have fears and concerns that hold us back. However, it is important to recognize these apprehensions and find ways to overcome them.

Last Words are often the most meaningful. They can leave a lasting impression and convey a message that will be remembered. Whether it is a final goodbye or a profound thought, last words have the power to touch our hearts.

In conclusion, these four elements - Blackberrying, I am Vertical, Apprehensions, and Last Words - are all significant in their own ways. They represent different aspects of our lives and emotions, and together they form a rich tapestry of experiences.

Until finally I found something of Plath that I really liked. The Bell Jar and Ariel resonated with me in several ways, perhaps even a little more than I would have liked. However, Crossing the Water is my thing. The poems are truly beautiful and the metaphors captivated me from beginning to end. I'm glad that despite my disappointment with her other works, I read Crossing the Water because finally I could be part of the people who enjoy Sylvia Plath.

It was a journey of exploration through Plath's literary world. At first, I was a bit disheartened by some of her works that didn't quite click with me. But then, Crossing the Water came along like a shining gem. The words seemed to dance on the page, painting vivid pictures in my mind. The way she used metaphors was simply masterful. It was as if she was opening up a secret door to a world I had never known before.

Reading Crossing the Water made me realize that Sylvia Plath was a truly remarkable poet. Her ability to express complex emotions and ideas through her words was astonishing. I'm so glad I didn't give up on her after my initial disappointments. This collection of poems has become a favorite of mine, and I know I'll be coming back to it again and again to discover new depths and meanings.

I must confess that I have always held a certain view about Sylvia Plath. I thought that although she was undoubtedly a talented poet, her work didn't particularly appeal to my personal taste. It seems that I was wrong in basing my judgment solely on her collection Ariel. After reading Crossing the Water, I realized that it truly aligns with the type of poetry that I find captivating.

There are several poems in this collection that have become my favorites. "Finisterre" stands out with its unique imagery and profound emotions. "Heavy Women" delves into the complex nature of femininity. "Insomniac" beautifully captures the restlessness of the human mind at night. "I am Vertical" presents a powerful statement about identity and self-perception. "Widow" explores the themes of loss and grief with great sensitivity.

Other notable poems include "Magi", "Love Letter", "Small Hours", "Last Words", "Ouija", "Two Sisters of Persephone", "Maenad", "Witchburning", and of course, the title poem "Crossing the Water". Each of these poems offers a distinct perspective and showcases Plath's remarkable poetic skills.

Overall, Crossing the Water has opened my eyes to the beauty and depth of Sylvia Plath's poetry, and I am now a firm believer in her talent.

While I frequently find myself having no clue or just a very faint idea of what Plath is referring to in some of her poems, and often have to pause to look up certain words, her lyricism and rhythm are truly remarkable. Her poems almost demand to be spoken aloud, as poetry is indeed meant to be read in that way, and I have thoroughly relished doing so. The flow of each poem can be quite unpredictable, which makes them even more fascinating to read out loud. Sometimes, I would discover that the way I pronounced a particular phrase didn't sound right, and I would read it again until it felt just right. This collection of poems, which was published posthumously by Ted Hughes, is dark, moody, and often morbid. She has a beautiful knack for turning common objects upside down and describing them in unique ways, making her poems worthy of multiple re-readings.

Sylvia Plath is truly an extraordinary author. She holds a unique place in the literary world as the only writer who has the power to move me to tears within a mere 20 lines. Her words are like a sharp knife that cuts right through the heart, exposing the raw emotions and deepest secrets within us.

Her writing is not only beautiful but also profound. It is a reflection of her own tortured soul, yet it speaks to the universal human experience. Through her poetry and prose, she explores themes such as love, loss, depression, and suicide with a honesty and intensity that is truly breathtaking.

Plath's work is a testament to her genius. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty and hope to be found. Her words will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.