my local midwife has taught me how to keep bees. Well, she can't understand anything I write. And I find myself liking her, may I say, more than most poets. And among my friends I find these people who know all about boats or know about a certain sport or know about how to cut somebody open and remove an organ. Well, I'm fascinated by this, this mastery of the practical. I must say I feel as a poet, one lives a bit on air and I always like someone who can teach me something practical.
Sylvia Plath • October 30, 1962 • The Poet’s Voice • British Council • BBC • Peter Orr
















