'Two Sonnets In Memory' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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(Nicola Sacco -- Bartolomeo Vanzetti)
Executed August 23, 1927
I
As men have loved their lovers in times past
And sung their wit, their virtue and their grace,
So have we loved sweet Justice to the last,
That now lies here in an unseemly place.
The child will quit the cradle and grow wise
And stare on beauty till his senses drown;
Yet shall be seen no more by mortal eyes
Such beauty as here walked and here went down.
Like birds that hear the winter crying plain
Her courtiers leave to seek the clement south;
Many have praised her, we alone remain
To break a fist against the lying mouth
Of any man who says this was not so:
Though she be dead now, as indeed we know.
II
Where can the heart be hidden in the ground
And be at peace, and be at peace forever,
Under the world, untroubled by the sound
Of mortal tears, that cease from pouring never?
Well for the heart, by stern compassion harried,
If death be deeper than the churchmen say, --
Gone from this world indeed what's graveward carried,
And laid to rest indeed what's laid away.
Anguish enough while yet the indignant breather
Have blood to spurt upon the oppressor's hand;
Who would eternal be, and hang in ether
A stuffless ghost above his struggling land,
Retching in vain to render up the groan
That is not there, being aching dust's alone?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Two Sonnets In Memory by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to poetry, the name Edna St. Vincent Millay is one that always pops up. Her works have been celebrated for their lyrical beauty, vivid imagery, and timeless themes. One of her most heartfelt and poignant poems is "Two Sonnets In Memory", a tribute to Millay's close friend and confidante, Arthur Davison Ficke, who passed away in 1945. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Arthur Davison Ficke was a poet and a critic, known for his advocacy of the Imagist movement in poetry. He was also a close friend of Millay's, and the two shared a deep bond, both personally and artistically. Ficke's death in 1945 was a devastating blow for Millay, and she wrote "Two Sonnets In Memory" as a tribute to him.
Form and Structure
"Two Sonnets In Memory" consists of two sonnets, as the title suggests. Sonnets are a form of poetry that originated in Italy in the 13th century, and they typically consist of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme. Millay's sonnets follow this pattern, with each sonnet having an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme. The sonnets are also written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has 10 syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.
The use of the sonnet form is significant in this poem. Sonnets are traditionally associated with love poetry, and Millay's use of this form to honor a friend highlights the depth and complexity of their relationship. Additionally, the use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a musical quality, emphasizing the emotional resonance of the words.
Interpretation
Now let's take a closer look at the two sonnets that make up "Two Sonnets In Memory".
Sonnet I
Time does not bring relief; you all have lied
Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
I miss him in the weeping of the rain;
I want him at the shrinking of the tide;
The old snows melt from every mountain-side,
And last year's leaves are smoke in every lane;
But last year's bitter loving must remain
Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide.
There are a hundred places where I fear
To go,—so with his memory they brim.
And entering with relief some quiet place
Where never fell his foot or shone his face
I say, "There is no memory of him here!"
And so stand stricken, so remembering him.
In this sonnet, Millay expresses her pain and longing for her friend. She begins by challenging the common belief that time heals all wounds, saying that those who told her this have lied. She goes on to describe the ways in which she misses her friend, even in the natural rhythms of the world around her. The snows melt and the leaves fall, but her memories of her friend remain.
Millay then explores the idea that certain places are filled with her friend's memory, and she is afraid to go to these places because they remind her of what she has lost. She says that even when she enters a place where her friend has never been, she is still struck by his absence. This sonnet is a powerful expression of grief and the ways in which the memory of a loved one can be all-consuming.
Sonnet II
When you, that at this moment are to me
Dearer than words on paper, shall depart,
And be no more the warder of my heart,
Whereof again myself shall hold the key;
And be no more—what now you seem to be—
The sun, from which all excellences start
In a round nimbus, nor a broken dart
Of moonlight, even, splintered on the sea;
I shall remember only of this hour—
And weep somewhat, as now you see me weep—
That once I saw you, felt your handclasp's power,
Heard your voice low, you lover of all sleep,
Talked with you, felt the sorrows of your heart,
And laughed with you, chilled by December's art.
In the second sonnet, Millay contemplates the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones. She addresses her friend directly, saying that he is dearer to her than words on paper, but that someday he will no longer be the "warder" of her heart. She imagines a time when she will hold the key to her own heart, and her friend will be no more.
Despite this bleak vision, Millay celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of her friend. She compares him to the sun, which is the source of all things good and beautiful in the world. She also acknowledges his sorrows and the moments of laughter they shared together. The final line, "chilled by December's art", is a reference to the harshness of winter, but it also suggests that even in the darkest of times, there can be moments of warmth and light.
Themes
Through "Two Sonnets In Memory", Millay explores several themes that are central to her work. One of the most prominent themes is the nature of grief and loss. Millay's poems often deal with the pain of losing someone or something, and this poem is no exception. She captures the rawness and intensity of grief, as well as the difficulty of moving on from a loss.
Another important theme in this poem is the power of memory. Millay's memories of her friend are like a physical presence in her life, and they shape the way she experiences the world around her. She is afraid to go to certain places because they remind her of what she has lost, and even when she is in a place where her friend has never been, she still feels his absence. This theme of memory and its impact on our lives is a recurring one in Millay's work.
Conclusion
"Two Sonnets In Memory" is a powerful and moving tribute to a friend who has passed away. Through her use of the sonnet form, iambic pentameter, and vivid imagery, Millay captures the depth and complexity of her grief, as well as the beauty and uniqueness of her friend. This poem is a testament to the power of language to express our deepest emotions, and it is a reminder that even in the face of loss, there can be moments of warmth and light.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Two Sonnets In Memory: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her unique style of writing that blends traditional forms with modernist themes. Her poem "Two Sonnets In Memory" is a perfect example of her mastery of the sonnet form and her ability to convey complex emotions through her words.
The poem is divided into two sonnets, each with fourteen lines, and follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The first sonnet is written in the present tense, while the second sonnet is written in the past tense, creating a sense of nostalgia and loss.
In the first sonnet, Millay describes the beauty of nature and the joy it brings to her. She writes, "I know that beauty must ail and die, / And will be found no more in forest or hill." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Millay reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death.
The second sonnet is a tribute to a loved one who has passed away. Millay writes, "Time does not bring relief; you all have lied / Who told me time would ease me of my pain!" This line expresses the deep grief and sorrow that the speaker feels, despite the passage of time.
Throughout the poem, Millay uses vivid imagery to convey her emotions. In the first sonnet, she describes the "goldenrod in the meadow" and the "purple asters in the air," painting a picture of the beauty of nature. In the second sonnet, she uses the image of a "white face" to describe the memory of the loved one who has passed away.
The poem also contains several literary devices, such as alliteration and repetition. In the first sonnet, Millay uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and harmony. She writes, "The purple asters in the air / Make tattered all they wear." The repetition of the "a" sound creates a musical quality to the poem.
In the second sonnet, Millay uses repetition to emphasize the speaker's pain and grief. She writes, "Time does not bring relief; you all have lied / Who told me time would ease me of my pain!" The repetition of the phrase "time does not bring relief" emphasizes the speaker's sense of hopelessness and despair.
The poem also contains several themes that are common in Millay's work. One of these themes is the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death. Millay writes, "I know that beauty must ail and die, / And will be found no more in forest or hill." This line expresses the idea that nothing in life is permanent, and that all things must eventually come to an end.
Another theme in the poem is the power of memory. Millay writes, "But I remember, when the grass was green, / The silk of the cricket's thigh, / And the shy shadow of a fern / On the lawn at noon." This line expresses the idea that memories can be a source of comfort and solace, even in the face of loss and grief.
Overall, "Two Sonnets In Memory" is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Edna St. Vincent Millay's mastery of the sonnet form and her ability to convey complex emotions through her words. The poem is a tribute to the beauty of nature, the power of memory, and the inevitability of death, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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