[Newspoetry] PMS Kills Sylvia Plath

[Bill Wendling]

Various theories for Sylvia Plath's suicide have been put forth
throughout the years since her death in the early 60's. Now with the
unexpergated release of her journals, more credence is lent to the
hypothesis that PMS may have caused her manic-depressive episodes which
eventually lead to her death.

The rythm of acute physical and emotional discomfort followed her monthly
cycle (30 to 35 days) almost exactly. They are apparently evident in her
"Ariel" peoms which are meticulously dated.

Back then, PMS was not considered a real illness. However, she killed
herself days before she was scheduled to consult with the only physician
working with PMS at the time (being referred by her psychiatrist).

I urge people to search Salon's site this week (Tuesday and Thursday's
sites) for more details (http://www.salonmagazine.com/).

-- 
|| Bill Wendling			wendling at ganymede.isdn.uiuc.edu