Notes About The Poem

Identity crisis is a real term. It's a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to a change in their expected aims or role in society. An alter ego is a person's secondary or alternative personality. "in the flesh she is a million miles from her photographic alter ego" . The contest was to write your story as Edgar Allan Poe in the style of Sylvia Path. Here's mine. Hope the bells chime for you, press the arrow and listen while you read!

Poe In The Style Of Plath Poetry Contest n/a

The Lurking Fear and Other Stories by H.P. Lovecraft | Goodreads

Lissa Marie

Listen to poem:

I was a child, peering down, 
down into my   soul’s abyss, 
a sterile kingdom by the Dead Sea.  
She was also a child, my loveless alter ego
a glass jar not even half full.  
Our love was too vacuous to harbor affection or hope.  
My alter ego,  Lissa Marie.

She was a child, peering upward, upward, 
delving more deeply into my spirit’s stunted reach.  
The proverbial babe in the woods was she, 
harboring the dour rude awakenings 
of the great prophets and sages.  
She stirred in me all that is sacred, 
and  inspired  and  true.  
Yet her flame diminished 
into smoldering embers—no Phoenix rising.  
She departed as she entered, a demure lady.  
She came to me as lady light, 
departed  as   lady death.
I shall retain my love for her, my
alter ego, 'til my last breath
Our  souls  entwined
Yet the angels show their jealously
So divine was she, coequal.
Her essence upon me, 
love  worn  weary,
I’ve  become  one 
with Lissa Marie.

allusionanalogycharacterfantasyprose

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Speaks Volumes

Date: 12/4/2023 11:20:00 AM

Anaya this is extremely well written. A difficult task, but the poem you produced is outstanding in its own right. Enjoyed it immensely.

I Am Anaya
Date: 12/4/2023 5:30:00 PM

Thank you, SV!

Tom Woody

Date: 12/4/2023 10:06:00 AM

This is so good and nice twist ending. Reminded me of one of my fave reads - The Other. Have you read it?

I Am Anaya
Date: 12/4/2023 5:30:00 PM

Thank you. I saw the Trailor, chilling.

Christina Bowring

Date: 12/2/2023 11:56:00 AM

Such a powerful write dear Anaya and incredibly well written. This is so deep and profound and although I’m unfamiliar with Plath’s work, I can most certainly sense Poe here. A gripping write and good luck in the contest. I’m sure Tom will appreciate this great write. Hugs to you xx

I Am Anaya
Date: 12/2/2023 2:54:00 PM

Thank you, Christina! Second half is in tribute to Sylvia. Her genre of confessional poetry, best known for The Colossus and Other Poems(1960) and Ariel (1965), and The Bell Jar. She suffered from bipolar and committed suicide.

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 11/27/2023 11:34:00 AM

A POEtic experience...the chimes are a great accompaniment dear bff. Pretty powerful stuff! Nice! :)

I Am Anaya
Date: 12/1/2023 3:49:00 PM

Lol. You think so, they've disappeared haha, my churchbells pooped out. I'll find out why..oh well. Hope your keeping warm lady Lou. Happy Daz, your besty!!!

Hilo Poet

Date: 11/22/2023 4:54:00 PM

Most notaries who've crossed my path, such as Lisa in Phoenix, are able to maintain their composure and kept woes. On the other hand, Michelle Phillips of 'One Day at a Time', yea, she was on something. I had to hold the reg card because of her shakiness. A poignant defining depiction of her, Anaya. Aloha, William

Hilo Poet
Date: 11/24/2023 3:46:00 PM

Thanks, Anaya. I guess Mackenzie was no hot potato either. These celebs come for the concert 'Day on the Green' at the Oakland Stadium, and being a city that's predominately Black, hence, the entertainers are equally so. Lionel Ritchie, Commodores, Di. Pointer Sisters, etc., tho' Jackson Five, 09/76 were my first celebs. 40 years bouncing around North America & Carib., omg. Aloha

I Am Anaya
Date: 11/24/2023 8:39:00 AM

I think it's Mackenzie Phillips--not Michelle's daughter. I love the Mama's and Papa's! ;) I don't know much about Lisa Marie, not much interest in her.

Hilo Poet
Date: 11/23/2023 7:15:00 AM

Oh, I meant actually, I don't know what her cause of death was, but in general, many celebs hide theirs like that of Michelles's dad that came out in later years--it kinda explained her wired uppy-dee-ness back in 77 went I dealt with her--didn't know the dad thing at the time--ok I thought you may know somethin abt Lisa, she was sweet tho--Aloha, William

I Am Anaya
Date: 11/23/2023 7:06:00 AM

Ha, oh no. This is not about a celebrity, In reference to Poe's Annabelle Lee, had to rhyme a name, I chose Lissa Marie, with two ss's not to confuse her with the celeb, lol. Thank you William-Aloha, Anaya!