The Double

The Double

“Get into novel deep enough so
it will go on at the same time.”
—Sylvia Plath, Journals 7/20/1957

Sylvia got into—her Novel
Deep enough—to live it
A tough act—to perform

Sylvia did it—she lived it
She lived it—she performed it
The Bell Jar—her life story

Sylvia lived—The Bell Jar
The Bell Jar—lived her
Her own—Catcher in the Rye

Can you or I—perform it?
Most people—simply live it
Stoic—not simultaneously

Writing—these words
Telling—you this crummy story
Performing—Ariel my double