I have fallen a long way. Clouds are floweringBlue and mystical over the face of the starsInside the church, the saints will all be blue,Floating on their delicate feet over the cold pews,Their hands and faces stiff with holiness
The quote reflects a deep sense of despair and disillusionment. The phrase "I have fallen a long way" suggests a significant emotional or spiritual decline, indicating a journey into darkness or loss. Plath’s imagery of "clouds are flowering" juxtaposes beauty with an ethereal quality, hinting at a complex relationship with hope and sorrow. The mystical blue tones evoke a sense of longing or yearning that permeates the speaker's experience.
In the church setting described, the saints are portrayed as blue figures, highlighting their otherworldly nature. Their delicate movements and frozen expressions embody a rigid sense of holiness that contrasts sharply with the speaker's feelings. This imagery emphasizes a coldness and distance within spiritual spaces, suggesting that while the saints represent purity, they lack the warmth of authentic connection. Plath masterfully intertwines themes of beauty, melancholy, and alienation in this poignant reflection.
