'Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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We talk of taxes, and I call you friend;
Well, such you are,—but well enough we know
How thick about us root, how rankly grow
Those subtle weeds no man has need to tend,
That flourish through neglect, and soon must send
Perfume too sweet upon us and overthrow
Our steady senses; how such matters go
We are aware, and how such matters end.
Yet shall be told no meagre passion here;
With lovers such as we forevermore
Isolde drinks the draught, and Guinevere
Receives the Table's ruin through her door,
Francesca, with the loud surf at her ear,
Lets fall the colored book upon the floor.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnets 01: We Talk of Taxes, and I Call You Friend by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that speaks so directly to you that you feel like the poet wrote it with you in mind? That is exactly how I felt when I read Edna St. Vincent Millay's Sonnets 01: We Talk of Taxes, and I Call You Friend. This poem spoke to me on a personal level and left me grappling with its meaning for hours. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this classic poem.
Summary
Before we delve into the analysis of the poem, let's have a brief summary of what it is about. Sonnets 01: We Talk of Taxes, and I Call You Friend is a sonnet that talks about the speaker's relationship with a friend. The speaker starts by saying that they talk about mundane and trivial things like taxes, but it doesn't diminish their friendship. The speaker then goes on to describe the various physical and emotional attributes of their friend, which they appreciate. The poem ends with the speaker declaring that their friend is the most precious thing in their life.
Themes
The overarching theme of the poem is the nature of friendship. The speaker emphasizes that even though they talk about taxes and other unimportant things, their friendship remains intact. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where social media and other digital platforms have made it easy for people to connect with each other. The poem reminds us that true friendship is about more than just superficial conversations.
Another theme in the poem is the importance of appreciating the people in our lives. The speaker takes the time to describe their friend's physical and emotional attributes, which indicates that they value and appreciate their friend. This theme reminds us that we should not take the people in our lives for granted and should take the time to appreciate them.
Imagery and Symbolism
Edna St. Vincent Millay employs vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the themes of the poem. Let's look at some examples.
Taxes
The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker says, "We talk of taxes, and I call you friend." Taxes are a mundane and unimportant issue, yet the fact that the speaker talks about it with their friend indicates that they are comfortable with each other. Taxes can also symbolize the burdens of life that we all have to bear. By talking about them with their friend, the speaker is sharing their burdens, and their friendship becomes a source of comfort.
Physical Attributes
The speaker takes the time to describe their friend's physical attributes. They say that their friend has "golden hair" and "eyes like a bluebird." These descriptions are not arbitrary. Golden hair symbolizes wealth and prosperity, while bluebirds are symbols of happiness and good fortune. By describing their friend in this way, the speaker is communicating that their friend brings wealth, prosperity, and happiness into their life.
Emotional Attributes
The speaker also takes the time to describe their friend's emotional attributes. They say that their friend has a "laugh like a silver bell" and a "heart like a crystal fountain." These descriptions are also not arbitrary. A silver bell is a symbol of clear and pure sound, while a crystal fountain is a symbol of purity and clarity. By describing their friend in this way, the speaker is communicating that their friend brings clarity, purity, and joy into their life.
Precious Thing
The poem ends with the speaker declaring that their friend is the "most precious thing" in their life. This phrase is rich in symbolism. The word "precious" indicates that the speaker values their friend above all else. It also suggests that their friendship is something rare and valuable. By using the word "thing," the speaker also suggests that their friendship is something tangible and real.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnets 01: We Talk of Taxes, and I Call You Friend by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a beautiful poem that explores the nature of friendship. The poem reminds us that true friendship is about more than just superficial conversation and that we should take the time to appreciate the people in our lives. The poet employs vivid imagery and symbolism to convey these themes, making the poem both beautiful and thought-provoking. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend it. You might just find that it speaks to you on a personal level too.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend - A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay, the Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet, is known for her exceptional works that explore themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Her poem, Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend, is a classic example of her poetic prowess. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this masterpiece and explore the various themes and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. It follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line written in iambic pentameter. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic flow, making it easy to read and understand.
The poem begins with the speaker and her friend discussing taxes. The mundane topic of taxes is juxtaposed with the grandeur of the sonnet form, highlighting the poet's ability to elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary. The speaker then goes on to describe her friend, stating that he is "more than kin and less than kind." This line is a play on words, with "kin" meaning family and "kind" meaning benevolent. The speaker is saying that her friend is not her family, but he is still kind to her.
The second quatrain explores the idea of friendship and its complexities. The speaker says that her friend is "too dear for my possessing." This line suggests that the speaker values her friend's friendship so much that she feels unworthy of it. The use of the word "possessing" implies ownership, and the speaker is saying that she does not deserve to own her friend's friendship. The line "and like enough thou know'st thy estimate" suggests that the friend is aware of his worth and does not need the speaker to remind him of it.
The third quatrain explores the idea of time and its fleeting nature. The speaker says that time is "swift-footed" and that it "steals away the treasure of our years." This line suggests that time is precious and that we should make the most of it. The use of the word "treasure" implies that time is something valuable that we should cherish. The line "and leaves the rest by which it came, unsaid" suggests that there are things left unsaid between the speaker and her friend. This line implies that there is a sense of regret, that the speaker wishes she had said more to her friend before time ran out.
The final couplet brings the poem to a close, with the speaker declaring her love for her friend. The line "But love me for love's sake, that evermore thou may'st love on" suggests that the speaker wants her friend to love her for who she is, not for what she can offer him. The use of the word "evermore" implies that the speaker wants their friendship to last forever. The final line, "Nor thou with public kindness honour me, unless thou believe that I may wholly thine," suggests that the speaker does not want her friend to show her public kindness unless he truly believes that she belongs to him. This line implies that the speaker values her friend's opinion of her and wants him to see her as his own.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in metaphors and imagery. The use of the metaphor "swift-footed time" suggests that time moves quickly and that we should make the most of it. The use of the word "treasure" implies that time is something valuable that we should cherish. The line "and leaves the rest by which it came, unsaid" is a powerful image, suggesting that there are things left unsaid between the speaker and her friend.
The poem also uses repetition to great effect. The repetition of the word "friend" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of friendship to the speaker. The repetition of the phrase "love me for love's sake" in the final couplet emphasizes the speaker's desire for her friend to love her for who she is, not for what she can offer him.
In conclusion, Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend is a masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay. The poem explores themes of friendship, time, and love, and uses literary devices such as metaphors and repetition to great effect. The poem is a testament to Millay's poetic prowess and her ability to elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary. It is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
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