-TimK

This is the most amazing post I have ever read anywhere. As a fan of Sylvia Plath (Anne Sexton is my favourite poet, but Sylvia and her are always battling for the spot in my mind!). In any case, as a fan of her works, I find it refreshing that this wasn’t another cliche article by someone who clearly knows nothing of writing or mental illness. I myself am mentally ill, I have been considered “the worst case” for many of my past doctors, however I am not ashamed of this. Writers with mental illness (whether or not they have attempted and/or completed suicide) should never be written off, as they are by some holier-than-thou people. Sylvia poems are not famous because she is dead. They are famous because she is a damned good poet. A great one. I was worried about watching the film Sylvia, as I am not a fan of Paltrow at all. I was impressed. She did her justice. I didn’t think she could replicate that passion, but she did her best! This post is just so refreshing and understanding, as opposed to the critical, judgmental stuff I tend to see in regards to poets (or writers in general) who have taken their own lives.

THANK YOU so much for writing this. I am saving it on my mac so I can read it again sometimes.

The only thing I don’t agree with is the title. By definition, Sylvia Plath was crazy. I know this because crazy knows crazy. The problem is “crazy” has always been such an awful word. It really isn’t – you know – “there is no genius without a touch of madness”. So many thought Einstein was a loon.
I prefer to refer to myself as “crazy” or “mad” as opposed to the pc term “mentally ill” because the former two words capture the passion, and crazy people tend to be passionate people. Yes, I am mentally ill, and as an advocate for mental health awareness, I certainly am not ashamed. But face it, crazy is just plain easier to say. ;-P

I am still trying to get better, but I never want to be completely cured or “sane”. I know where my creativity comes from, and it comes from my trauma, my depression, my rage, my madness… and even though these things keep me from living life in a way others would want me to – I wouldn’t trade them in for sanity for anything. If I couldn’t write, then I REALLY would have NO desire to live.

I love Sylvia Plath’s works, and the movie ‘Sylvia’, and I want to hate Ted but I can’t because I understand. My husband is a warrior for sticking with me!
Also, I love this post. It’s insightful and it should be printed everywhere where Plath’s name is mentioned, so people can get their facts straight!

Again, thank you for posting this and have a lovely day/night.

-TimK