Author Statement: “When I was seventeen, Sylvia Plath came into my life. I had bought Ariel for college, but after I dropped out, I continued to read through her poems. As a macabre person, I was enamoured with her ability to wield themes of death and despair; subjects which I often felt ostracized for enjoying. Since this time, I have become quite knowledgeable about her life through podcasts, articles, books, and documentaries. When I sit down to write a poem, Sylvia sits inside my soul, feeding me the ink. I take particular inspiration from her metaphors, pushing me to merge words that you wouldn't think of putting together. Overall, Sylvia Plath changed my life in ways I cannot begin to quantify, but I do hold her responsible for my decision to start writing poetry professionally.”