Sylvia Plath is probably most well known for dying. That's no small trick in a universe where, so far as we know, everyone and everything eventually dies. If you can manage to die in a way people remember over a half-century later, that's certainly some kind of an accomplishment.

In Plath's case, poetic fame and death are so closely wedded that it's a test to all of us, from literary critics, to casual readers to see if we're willing to follow her, not into death, but into the depth and richness of life that poetry celebrates and, in some cases, reveals. We can get so caught up in her death, that we forget her artistry.  

But this artistry is the true essence of Plath as a person. That's what many people fail to see. As it is the true essence of any worthwhile poet, and that's what I'll be digging into in the upcoming series of blog-posts on her work. I want to show you not only why she's one of the most important artists of the twentieth century, but how she was able to give voice to the poems we all know and love.

Along the way you may find new elements in her work, and you may also find great inspiration for your own work and life.

Monday held profound significance for Plath, and I'll point out that Monday is "moon day" and, also, that Plath died on Monday, February 11th, 1963. Her last poem "Edge" features the moon prominently, and the last four lines she ever wrote are intently focused on the moon.  

So, we'll kick things off on Monday by taking a look at "Sonnet to Satan," written when Plath was a student at Smith college. This early poem brims with inventiveness, daring, and rebellion. It also stands as a convenient model to spotlight some of Plath's "tricks" and techniques that created a foundation for her poetic genius.

Be ready to meet the devil on Monday, but don't sweat it because even Satan himself envies and admires this incredible poet!

No "tally" today because I've been working on music. Please have a listen to my latest song, "Freedom (Le Chime)" which is a ballad with a poetic video. At least I hope it's poetic, you tell me!

If you prefer something you can dance to, check out my song "Funk the Princess"--  it's a lot of fun.

My recent post on "Bitter Enders" received a nice response. Thanks to everyone who read the post and replied to me about it. Your comments and ideas are deeply appreciated! It's a privilege and a pleasure to share thoughts with each and every one of you!

Never be shy about reaching out to me to talk poetry!  Just my email or contact me through Facebook.

One of the most powerful insights on the topic of emotional well-being came from poet Cindy Creel, who wasn't actually responding to my blog post, but to a poem I posted. She wrote: "describing the way something made you feel is a place of strength." 

Words to live by!

This is another way of saying: poems heal. Reading a poem, writing a poem, dreaming a poem. In each and every case, poems provide inspiration and -- often -- hope. People have written poems in concentration camps, mental wards, country jails, deserts, and on rafts lost as sea. It's natural to go through bouts of bitterness, alienation, doubt, and envy in your life as  poet, but don't let these emotions define you or your experience with art.

Poems, offered by anyone, at any time, are  acts of love. Or should be.  Even when poets write with deep anger and bitterness like Rimbaud or Plath's -- poetry, at its most destructive -- remains an act of creation.

Poets grow things like ideas, moods, spirits, themes and, sometimes, myths.  

Cindy also notes the deep relationship between physical well-being and emotional well-being, starting right from the earth up. You need to literally get your hands dirty. Soil contains minerals that are essential to your mental and physical well-being.

I overlooked these priceless insights in my original post. 

So let's state it clearly now:

You need to eat right, you need to get outside, and you need to put your hands in the dirt. So hike, bike, garden, jog, or just sit on a  blanket under the stars. Take a sip of puddle water off your fingertips, touch a spiderweb, eat a blade of grass. Rub some dirt on your face. Suck a pebble. Inhale the reviving scent of the earth.

Keep yourself, healthy, sane, and inspired so you can joyfully share your creative works with all of us for many years to come!

Tally
Poems Written: 313
Submissions: 51
Rejections:  21 (13 tiered)  
Acceptances: 0
Poem written today: "n/a"  Mixing song "Global Rain"


If you need a hand revising and polishing: 
1) Have me do it for you! Click the "Poem Polisher" button below. I've helped lots of poets.
2) Use my 7 Secrets of Poetry pdf as a guide for revision.

Nowadays almost everyone has fans of some kind. It may be Twitter or Facebook followers, TikTok or Instagram likes, but whatever the platform or content, we all seem to have our share of followers and fans.

Notice I didn't say our "fair" share of followers and fans. The reason for this is because nothing about fame or having fans is fair. That is, there's no logical correlation between quality of content and number of fans, I think we all know that.  I'm not saying there's no connection; I'm saying it's complicated and ambiguous.

Fame is also fleeting. Fans are very fickle. If you change your hairstyle or gain or lose a few pounds, expect seismic tremors to shake your fan base. If you go "dark" to catch your breath, many will find someone new to follow.  Say something -- just one something -- that offends enough people and you'll be cancelled. 

So, how should we deal with the bright lights of fame -- or even the phone-screen gleam of niche fame?

Luckily for us, a great answer was recently offered by the poet Michael Dwayne Smith. I crossed paths with Michael at Facebook and during a great exchange about poetry submissions and readers, Michael observed that for poets, "close attention" is much more important than "massive eyeballs." 

I think this is brilliant. It should be the focal point of every poet's dance with fame. What you're looking for are people who love and need your poems. Not just eyeballs. Sure, it's nice to get likes and shares, and if you want high numbers, you should try to get them, but never let chasing them weigh you down. Never let the lack of Big Fame keep you from fully experiencing the joy your art has brought to the world through your small fame. 

As a poet, you're a performer and it's part of your job to inspire people. Even if you write dark and sad, you want people to feel your work, not just hear about it. 

So remember Michael's words and value "close attention" and not just "massive" attention. 

Tally
Poems Written: 313
Submissions: 51
Rejections:  21 (13 tiered)  
Acceptances: 0
Poem written today: "First Days at Half Moon Bay"  

If you need a hand revising and polishing: 
1) Have me do it for you! Click the "Poem Polisher" button below. I've helped lots of poets.
2) Use my 7 Secrets of Poetry pdf as a guide for revision.