Alan Summers
The blue apple murmurs
after Sylvia Plath
summer angst
the writing dreams
of a High T-bar
a sandal strap forms a "Tau"
across her instep
One long mirage pockets emotions to travel the length of a horse far too dangerous to kiss, a swan reflection is just a tinge of rose away, and a day of numerous halves drips louder as a sun-catcher leaves the wind behind.
Author’s Note: High T-bar writing, a concept in graphology (handwriting analysis), suggests strong self-esteem, high ambition, confidence, and willpower. The crossbar placed high on the letter ‘t’ indicates lofty, optimistic goals, though a very high crossbar can sometimes mean unrealistic dreams or excessive ambition. Sylvia Plath had high crossed t letters. A “blue apple” suggests Sylvia Plath’s writing from various shades of blue in descriptions of nature, such as a “smoky blue-purple haze” of hills or a “scream blue sea.”
About the Author
Alan Summers is a Pushcart Prize– and Best Small Fictions–nominated writer and a mentor with Call of the Page. He has been haibun-commissioned by the Bristol Old Vic theatre (2003), was joint winner for haibun in the 2024 Bournemouth Writing Festival Flash Fiction & Poetry competition, and was published in Lines in the Sand (Bournemouth Writing Festival with Dithering Chaps).
Hi Alan,
This is fanciful and fantastic, I love tanka-bun very much. The symbolisms are fascinating as they reach across the poem exposing a vast spectrum of sensual liberation and palette of of colors. The Tanka as in Tanka Prose tells a story within itself. Thank you for sharing this confessional style of the poetry by Sylvia Plath-the blue apple murmurs -such a perfect title.
All the best, Karina
Much appreciated! Sylvia Plath, ahead of her time, has so much to inspire us.
Grateful to the editor who liked the contrast between the prose and poem!
Alan
The layering of image and idea here creates a fascinating drift—there’s a lot to sit with.
Thank you! Sometimes I let my mind run with something it’s been sifting for months. Plus Sylvia Plath is a forever inspiration.
Dear esteemed poet, so amazing is your take Tanka- bun prose with a title ,
“the blue apple murmurs “reading over and again. She really lives in your write for a period beyond restrictions. Any student of English literature, will remember her for ever. Your writing takes miles and miles far beyond…
Thank you, that’s very kind, and you are right, Sylvia Plath will be remembered forever and be a guiding light to so many people.