'Memorial To D.C.' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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(Vassar College, 1918)
O, loveliest throat of all sweet throats,
Where now no more the music is,
With hands that wrote you little notes
I write you little elegies!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Memorial To D.C.: An Analysis of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Poem
Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Memorial To D.C." is a haunting elegy to the poet's friend, the great poet and critic, Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The poem is a beautiful example of the art of elegy, with its poignant evocation of the memory of a great life cut short. Despite its brevity, Millay's poem is a masterful work of art that uses language and imagery to convey the intensity of the poet's grief and the depth of her admiration for Fisher.
The Poem's Structure and Form
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each composed of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem's structure and form are simple and direct, emphasizing the clarity and intensity of the poet's emotions. The simplicity of the form also reflects the poet's belief in the beauty of simplicity, a theme that runs throughout her work.
The Poem's Imagery
The poem is full of striking imagery that conveys the depth of the poet's feelings. The first stanza begins with the image of "the snow that covers the meadows," which is a metaphor for the poet's grief, a cold and overwhelming force that threatens to overcome her. The image of the snow also suggests the idea of purity and innocence, emphasizing the poet's sense of loss.
The second stanza is full of imagery that conveys the beauty and vitality of Fisher's life. The image of "the grass that grows green in the sunlight" suggests the idea of life and growth, while the "young meadowlark" is a symbol of hope and renewal. The image of "the flowering wild grape" is a symbol of the beauty and complexity of life, representing Fisher's many accomplishments as a writer and critic.
The third stanza is full of images of the natural world that suggest the idea of transcendence and eternal life. The image of "the stars that shine in the sky" suggests the idea of eternity and immortality, while the image of "the wind that blows through the trees" suggests the idea of the soul's journey after death. The final image of "the white rose that blooms in the garden" is a symbol of purity and beauty, representing the continuing influence of Fisher's life and work.
The Poet's Voice
The poet's voice is clear and direct, emphasizing the intensity of her emotions. The poem is full of rhetorical questions that convey the poet's sense of disbelief and sadness. The repetition of the phrase "how strange" emphasizes the poet's sense of confusion and the sense that Fisher's death is an inexplicable event.
The poet's voice is also marked by a sense of admiration and respect for Fisher. The poem is full of references to Fisher's many accomplishments as a writer and critic. The phrase "a friend of all who loved the arts" emphasizes Fisher's importance as a cultural figure and suggests the scope of her influence.
The Poem's Themes
The poem is full of themes that reflect Millay's preoccupations as a writer. The theme of mortality is central to the poem, as is the idea of the beauty and complexity of life. The poem also suggests the idea of transcendence, with its images of the stars and the wind.
The theme of friendship is also important to the poem. The poem is a tribute to Fisher's life and work, emphasizing her importance as a friend and mentor to Millay. The poem suggests the importance of friendship as a source of inspiration and support, both in life and in death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Memorial To D.C." is a beautiful and poignant elegy to the poet's friend and mentor, Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The poem is a masterful work of art that uses language and imagery to convey the intensity of the poet's emotions and the depth of her admiration for Fisher. Through its themes of mortality, the beauty of life, and the importance of friendship, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of loss and mourning, and the enduring power of memory and inspiration.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Memorial To D.C.: An Ode to Love and Loss
Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote Memorial To D.C. as a tribute to her close friend and confidant, Dorothy Caruso. The poem, which was published in 1923, is a poignant reflection on the pain of losing someone you love and the enduring power of memory.
At its core, Memorial To D.C. is a meditation on the nature of grief and the ways in which we cope with loss. Millay begins by acknowledging the overwhelming sadness that comes with the death of a loved one, writing, "I shall die, but that is all that I shall do for Death." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is marked by a sense of resignation and acceptance.
Despite the weight of her grief, Millay finds solace in the memories she shared with Dorothy. She writes, "I love you much (most beautiful darling) more than anyone on the earth and I like you better than everything in the sky." This line is a testament to the depth of their friendship and the profound impact that Dorothy had on Millay's life.
Throughout the poem, Millay uses vivid imagery to evoke the beauty and intensity of her emotions. She describes the "silver laughter" that once filled their conversations and the "golden sorrow" that now permeates her thoughts. These images are both beautiful and haunting, capturing the bittersweet nature of memory and the way in which it can both comfort and torment us.
One of the most striking aspects of Memorial To D.C. is the way in which Millay blends the personal and the universal. While the poem is clearly a tribute to Dorothy, it also speaks to the universal experience of loss and the ways in which we all grapple with the inevitability of death. Millay writes, "The world will be the poorer for this beauty, but Heaven has gained a star." This line is a reminder that even in the face of loss, there is still beauty and wonder in the world.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of immortality. Millay writes, "I shall be the gladdest thing under the sun! I shall touch a hundred flowers and not pick one." This line suggests that while our physical bodies may die, our memories and the impact we have on others can live on forever. It is a powerful reminder that even in death, we can still make a difference in the world.
Overall, Memorial To D.C. is a beautiful and moving tribute to the power of love and the pain of loss. Millay's words are both heartbreaking and uplifting, capturing the complexity of human emotion and the enduring power of memory. It is a poem that speaks to us all, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love.
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