Admonitions by Plath

Admonitions

Oh never try to knock on rotten wood
or play another card game when you've won;
never try to know more than you should.

The magic golden apples all look good
although the wicked witch has poisoned one.
Oh never try to knock on rotten wood.

From here the moon seems smooth as angel-food,
from here you can't see spots upon the sun;
never try to know more than you should.

The suave dissembling cobra wears a hood
and swaggers like a proper gentleman;
oh never try to knock on rotten wood.

While angels wear a wakeful attitude
disguise beguiles and mortal mischief's done:
never try to know more than you should.

For deadly secrets strike when understood
and lucky stars all exit on the run:
never try to knock on rotten wood,
never try to know more than you should.

--Sylvia Plath

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I came across this villanelle today as I was prepping a poetry unit. It has one of my favorite motifs in literature, Faustus or the dangers of pursuing forbidden knowledge.  Sylvia knew all too well how it enticing it is and how easy it is to reach too far too fast and get yourself into trouble. This poem, too, is a meditation about the appearance vs. the truth of things.  Too many things seem lovely, safe, seductive, even, only to do harm when embraced.  Plath is saying it's better not to push your luck.  Of course, she didn't always live up to her own rules, but maybe that's her own experience speaking as a warning here.  We're about two weeks from starting Faustus with my classes.  It's been a full year since I taught it.  I'm looking forward to it.  It never fails to move me.