Sylvia’s Mother Said

Sylvia’s Mother Said

 

Sylvia’s mother said

Let go and forget him

No way is he worth it

Let go and enjoy being free

 

Sylvia’s mother said

Your babies are hungry

Whatever you do keep them

Safe and away from your poetry

 

Sylvia’s mother said

Both Frieda and Nicholas

Must not be allowed

To go it alone

 

Life should be easier

And more than a gas

When you’re a mother of

Just thirty years old

 

Sylvia’s mother said

Put the pen down now

Come sit by the fire

My word you look cold

 

And the operator says

You don’t have to do this

Don’t cry you don’t have to go it alone

There is never a best way to die

 

 

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

somber tribute sir ... this line "And more than a gas" ... brings so many memories to my mind as "It's a gas!" meant something far different .. the contrast in moods that creates in your poem hits hard for me .. nothing humorous in it at all eh!?
her whole life one of suffering ... and in the end .. no best way indeed .. dead is dead isn't it?! i think the operator line is killer! no need to call the Doctor tho :( nice job of hooking this reader .. somber tribute .. she is an icon to many :(
E.

[Neville]

Thank you Gene... she is indeed an icon and I am certainly one of her fans... the tune crept in and although I am not particularly happy with them, the words kinda just wrote themselves..... There is no feelgood factor here is there.....

Neville

[Einstein Noodle]

no... there really isn't ... that's what impacted me .. fine inspiration says i!

[Neville]

Cheers mate...

[Chris Shaw]

A good combination here of Dr Hook, and what Plath's mother may well have said to her poet daughter. Ted was bad news, not just for Sylvia but for Assia, her replacement. Two dead partners by gassing, a dead daughter and two other children of his left grieving all their lives for their mother. And subsequently Sylvia and Ted's son dying by suicide. So much to contemplate in this intriguing write Neville.

Chris

[Neville]

You got it... one tragedy upon another... Am three quarts through her Collected poems again.... thank you Chris

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

A great poet. Shame about Ted.