Robert Tracy Sylvia Plath, The Collected Poems , ed. This apparent lunacy has its rationale. Intensive study of one poet involves hearsay of a dozen one can't possibly have time for if the focal poet is read rightly. To know a poet, one must read extensively in that artist's oeuvre. Over and again, my reasoning has been confirmed, though I've seen the problem reproduced in a different form.
Every focal poet reveals aspects of their own that time forecloses from close study.
Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on. Comparison of the early with late styles of Sylvia Plath, with plausibly new appreciation of her juvenilia. Birthday Letters . Simple as that sounds, reflect on past poetic experiences. Chances are, you've searched for hidden meanings between the lines, behind the words.