Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) was a celebrated American poet and playwright known for her mastery of sonnets, vivid imagery, and themes of love, individuality, and rebellion. A trailblazer in both her literary accomplishments and her bohemian lifestyle, Millay remains a pivotal figure in 20th-century poetry, blending romantic lyricism with modernist sensibilities to captivate readers with her bold and emotive verse.
Edna St. Vincent Millay Biography
Edna St. Vincent Millay Poems
Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poetry spans a diverse range of themes, from the deeply personal to the profoundly philosophical. Here are some of her most notable works:
1. “Renascence”
This early poem, written when Millay was just 19, explores themes of mortality, spirituality, and renewal. Its vivid imagery and emotional depth cemented her reputation as a prodigious talent.
2. “First Fig”
A short, impactful poem from A Few Figs from Thistles (1920), it encapsulates Millay’s philosophy of living life intensely: “My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—It gives a lovely light!”
3. “The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver”
This narrative poem, the centerpiece of The Harp-Weaver and Other Poems, tells a poignant story of maternal sacrifice and love. It contributed to her Pulitzer Prize win.
4. “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, and Where, and Why”
A deeply reflective sonnet that contemplates lost love and the passage of time, it showcases Millay’s mastery of the form.
5. “Dirge Without Music”
This meditation on grief and mortality expresses a raw, universal emotion: “I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.”
6. “God’s World”
A celebration of nature’s beauty and its overwhelming power, this poem captures Millay’s Romantic sensibilities.
7. “Spring”
A modernist critique of the season’s traditional associations with renewal, this poem questions the meaning of life and death.
8. “Euclid Alone Has Looked on Beauty Bare”
An ode to mathematics and abstract beauty, this poem reflects Millay’s intellectual breadth.
9. “Recuerdo”
This lyrical poem captures the joy of youth and shared experiences, portraying a romanticized memory of love and adventure.
10. “Love Is Not All”
A sonnet that examines the limitations of love while acknowledging its profound emotional significance, this work demonstrates Millay’s nuanced approach to human relationships.
Edna St. Vincent Millay Quotes
1.“My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night.”
2.“I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.”
3.“Life in itself is nothing; an empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.”
4.“The soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through.”
5.“A person who publishes a book willfully appears before the populace with his pants down.”
6.“Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink.”
7.“Parrots, tortoises, and redwoods live a longer life than men do; men a longer life than dogs do.”
8.“Beauty is whatever gives joy.”
9.“April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.”
10.“I shall forget you presently, my dear, so make the most of this.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay Facts
1.Millay was named after St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, where her uncle’s life was saved.
2.She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, making her one of the first women to do so.
3.Her poem Renascence catapulted her to fame at the age of 19.
4.Millay was openly supportive of feminist and progressive causes, defying societal norms of her time.
5.She was a skilled performer, captivating audiences with her readings.
6.Her collection A Few Figs from Thistles sparked controversy for its themes of female independence and sexuality.
7.Millay and her husband, Eugen Boissevain, had an unconventional marriage that supported her career.
8.She lived in Steepletop, a farmhouse in upstate New York, which is now a historic site.
9.Millay was an advocate for pacifism but later supported U.S. involvement in World War II.
10.Despite her success, Millay struggled with addiction and financial troubles in her later years.