A mother’s reflection upon gazing on her newborn son:
I do not will him to be exceptional.
It is the exception that interests the devil.
It is the exception that climbs the sorrowful hill
Or sits in the desert and hurts his mother’s heart.
I will him to be common,
To love me as I love him,
And to marry what he wants and where he will.
(The incomparable) Sylvia Plath
A quote from the absolutely astounding poem Three Women by Sylvia Plath. Written from the point of view of three women: the first, a new mother; the second, an infertile woman; the third, a woman in more advancing years, perhaps menopausal and perhaps (I wonder?) the future voice of the second woman’s. I’m not sure. It will take a few more readings I think to divine properly – if at all. Which may be why I love it.
Highly recommended.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice. Really nice. Thanks for the nudge back to Plath.
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You stalking me?
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You’re most welcome, S
Great minds, Kelley, what can I say…?
I love Sylvia Plath. What’s more, i understand her (which frightens people sometimes). I told someone else that I probably would have stuck my own head in the oven if it hadn’t been electric. I haven’t read her since I had children – thank you for reminding me.
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A great poem. I hadn’t heard a Plath one before.
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