But Spring is wise. Pale and with gentle eyes, one day
somewhat she advances;
The next, with a flurry of snow into flake-filled skies
retreats before the heat in our eyes, and the thing designed
By the sick and longing mind in its lonely fancies--
The sally which would force and take her.
And Spring is kind.
Should she come running headlong in a wind-whipped acre
Of daffodil skirts down the mountain into this dark
valley we would go blind.
from New England Spring, 1942, Edna St. Vincent Millay
By the sick and longing mind in its lonely fancies--
The sally which would force and take her.
And Spring is kind.
Should she come running headlong in a wind-whipped acre
Of daffodil skirts down the mountain into this dark
valley we would go blind.
from New England Spring, 1942, Edna St. Vincent Millay
photo, Edna St. Vincent Millay in 1914, photographed by Arnold Gente
mmm, i adore magnolias....must now go and dig out that book of Edna's poems. thanks for visiting me, i'll be back too
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful. I'm not familiar with this author except for what you post. Lovely picture, too! Can't wait for my magnolia to bloom!
ReplyDeleteMillay is one of my most favorites! I have a little collection of her first editions and always keep an eye out for them in vintage shops.
ReplyDeleteYour photo goes so well with the poem. Spring is just around the corner. From the part of my backyard where the snows have receded, there are little green somethings poking up from the frozen earth...
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Millay poem is "Exiled". I came across it in my teens and have loved it ever since---here is the first stanza:
EXILED
Searching my heart for its true sorrow,
This is the thing I find it to be:
That I am weary of words and people,
Sick of the city, wanting the sea;
and the last stanza:
I should be happy... that am happy
Never at all since I came here.
I am too long away from water.
I have a need of water near.
Yes, yes! "Exiled" is one of my favorites, too, along with "Dirge Without Music", among many others.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, Vanity Fair magazine featured a lengthy article on Millay. It was quite interesting and had a number of photographs as well. I don't remember much of it, but I do recall that many men were besotted by Edna.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try to dig it up. Worth a re-read, I think.
"Savage Beauty, the Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay" by Nancy Milford is an excellent biography! It is a must read, if you are a fan of Millay.
ReplyDeleteVanity Fair is one of the magazines I subscribe to...have to have it. :)
Lovely...I quite enjoyed your poem...have a wonderful spring day...Dee Dee
ReplyDeleteYour little Manor is a wonderful place, and I'll be back for a more thorough visit. I simply love this poem by one of my favorites-St. Vincent Millay.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for your reference to my little room.
What a wonderful poem. I know her name but I've never read of her. I shall now. Thank you Willow for the discovery. :)
ReplyDelete