Elisabeth Horan

Yesterday, Isabelle Kenyon, contacted me to tell me about Elisabeth Horan's book inspired by Sylvia Plath, which explores links between writers, mothers, and mental health.

I was induced to sadness when the title, Just to the Right of the Stove, popped out at me. The title was definitely well thought out - noting the deeper meaning of this literary work released by Twist in Time Press of Philadelphia.

Isolation seemed prone to repeat itself throughout Plath's life's work as did ineffable self-appraisal. Overcome by profound hopelessness, it is plausible things became raw and exposed, deterring a catalyst for Plath's own healing. It's reported in the early morning hours of 1963, she frenzied to write as if the variables had an impact on survival time.

Fast forward fifty eight-years and Horan's versus flow and conjure images that are both abstract and real. In reading her words, defective & so alive, I witness an unsatisfied longing that's transitioning into belonging.

A vision of a lady entering a kitchen to utilize an untaught skill mixes with lines that have more than one interpretation. And, I sense that there is much left undone for Horan, as I turn the pages of Just to the Right of the Stove.… (más)

Death: ‘THERE ARE BETTER THINGS IN THE WORLD THAN ALCOHOL, ALBERT.’
Albert: ‘Oh, yes, sir. But alcohol sort of compensates for not getting them.’
Terry Pratchett

I have always liked this quote from Pratchett, not only is it amusing, but it contains so much truth in it. I like a drink, a few pints down the pub with some friends every now and again, a couple of glasses of wine over dinner or a contemplative whiskey while reading a book late on a Friday night. However, alcohol has earned its moniker, demon for a number of reasons. It is very easy to go from a modest drinker to a heavy drinker to an alcoholic without yourself or anyone noticing your dependence on the bottle. Owning up to this to your self and others takes an immense amount of courage.



That time when
I was so bad

When I said
Hahahaha, I’m fine

Of course I’m not fine though —
drinking too much

Horan has that courage to face up to the things that she has been doing and part of facing that has been to write her thoughts down on the page. She pours out her feelings and actions in these verses at her very lowest points. This raw and emotive prose makes this a very tough read at times and there are subjects that are about some very dark moments in her life. It is difficult to like poetry like this given how bleak some of the poems are, that said there is immense power in her words that will help someone facing some of the same issues that she has.

Favourite Poems
The It Girl
The Light Was Not for Me… (más)