Author's note: Ariel is the name of a series of poems by Syliva Plath. It is also the name of the horse that inspired the poem of the same name (that she built the series from). She was born in Boston Mass. on Oct. 27, 1932. She killed herself on Feb. 10, 1963- she was 30 years old.

Dying

Is an art, like everything else.

I do it exceptionally well.

I do it so it feels like hell.

I do it so it feels real.

I guess you could say I've got a call.

From "Lady Lazarus"

-Sylvia Plath

Transcendence

Ariel, I never knew you but, I know you well.

The masks you wore are still in circulation.

I have them all.

The one I use the most is the angel with the childlike face.

It is one of kindness, optimism, and boundless grace.

Ariel, you could never let go.

You were afraid, terrified to let the mask fall...

When it slipped, white hot brilliance spilled out;

painful in its intensity, mesmerizing none the less,

there was no sleep, no peace, not even a much deserved rest.

Ariel, were you not strong enough for this world...

Or too strong?

Was it not enough or too much?

In the end did you choose life-or did you choose death?

Alpha, omega, the beginning, the end....

As your heart and mind slowed to a stop...which was it for you?

Ariel, did it bring you peace?

We realized it was too soon, far too late.

Like a spark we felt your heat for the barest of moments...

The energy so great it could not be maintained or controlled.

We saw it, that spark preceded a million others....

I am one.

Ariel, it is best that you are gone...

You got what you wanted most in life-a voice.

You are done with this world, move on to what's next...

Those of us who have the spark will feed it's intensity and carry on.

Transcendent

1a: exceeding usual limits: Surpassing

b: extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience

2: Being beyond comprehension

3: Transcending the universe or material existence.

-Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (tenth ed.)

Please R/R. Especially if you're a friend of mine!