Stillborn

I find it so interesting that Plath decided to portray this poem through the idea of a stillborn. However morbid of an idea it may be, it’s still so beautiful to read – the language just knocks me out. I also love this idea that “If they missed out on walking about like people/ It wasn’t for any lack of motherly love” (Plath). It may be a stretch, but this reminds me of the difficulties I feel with my own writing. Even though I tend and tend and tend to it, sometimes it’s just dead, or seemingly equivalent; Plath makes something beautiful out of this for me. I also love how this poem is essentially just a mix of metaphors and personification – two of my all-time favorite things to not only read, but to use in my own writing as well. I like how she uses rhymes sparingly in this poem. They only truly jump out at me in the 7^th and 10^th lines, with “part,” “heart,” and “start.” She also includes repetition, stating the same word multiple times within one line (i.e, “smile and smile and smile and smile”) which are effective as rhymes, but also great at really driving home a particular point within a small amount of space. This poem was not only a pleasure to read, but it borderlines on relatable for me, as well. I loved it.