'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
Edna St. Vincent Millay is an American poet who is known for her sonnets. Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend is one of her famous works. It is a sonnet that explores the theme of friendship and love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and analyze its meaning, language, form, and structure.
Summary
The sonnet begins with the speaker and her friend discussing taxes. The speaker then declares her love for her friend and the strength of their friendship. She claims that her friend is the one who keeps her sane and happy, and that she cannot imagine life without their companionship. The speaker then concludes the sonnet by stating that she would pay any price to keep their friendship alive.
Analysis
Theme
The theme of Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend is friendship and love. The poem explores the deep bond between two friends who share a strong emotional connection. The speaker declares her love for her friend and acknowledges the importance of their friendship in her life. The theme of friendship is further highlighted by the reference to taxes, which is a mundane topic. The speaker uses this topic to contrast the depth and meaning of their friendship.
Language
The language used in the sonnet is simple and direct. The language is conversational, which adds to the intimacy of the poem. The use of the first person pronoun 'I' highlights the personal nature of the poem. The language is also figurative, with the speaker using metaphors to express her feelings. For example, the speaker refers to her friend as the sun, and herself as a planet that revolves around the sun. The use of this metaphor emphasizes the importance of the friend in the speaker's life.
Form and Structure
The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form. It consists of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The use of this form and structure adds to the beauty and elegance of the poem. The rhyme scheme also emphasizes the theme of friendship and love, with the rhyming words reinforcing the emotional bond between the two friends.
Tone
The tone of the sonnet is intimate and emotional. The speaker expresses her love for her friend in a heartfelt and sincere manner. The use of figurative language and metaphors adds to the tone of the poem. The tone is also reflective, with the speaker looking back on their friendship and acknowledging its importance in her life.
Imagery
The sonnet is rich in imagery, with the speaker using metaphors and similes to express her feelings. The use of the metaphor of the sun and the planet emphasizes the importance of the friend in the speaker's life. The imagery of the sun also highlights the warmth and brightness of their friendship. The use of the metaphor of the moon and the tide adds to the imagery of the poem, with the ebb and flow of the tide representing the ups and downs of their friendship.
Interpretation
Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend is a beautiful and heartfelt poem that celebrates the bond between two friends. The poem emphasizes the importance of friendship and the role it plays in our lives. The use of the metaphor of the sun and the planet highlights the idea that our friends are the center of our universe, around which our lives revolve. The imagery of the moon and the tide also adds to the interpretation of the poem, with the ebb and flow of the tide representing the ups and downs of our friendships.
The poem also explores the idea of love and its connection to friendship. The speaker declares her love for her friend, highlighting the deep emotional connection they share. This interpretation of the poem emphasizes the idea that love and friendship are intertwined, with our friends being the people we love the most.
The use of the mundane topic of taxes also adds to the interpretation of the poem. The speaker uses this topic to contrast the depth and meaning of their friendship. This interpretation emphasizes the idea that true friendship transcends everyday concerns and trivialities.
Conclusion
Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend is a beautiful and heartfelt poem that celebrates the bond between two friends. The poem emphasizes the importance of friendship and the role it plays in our lives. The use of the metaphor of the sun and the planet highlights the idea that our friends are the center of our universe, around which our lives revolve. The imagery of the moon and the tide also adds to the interpretation of the poem, with the ebb and flow of the tide representing the ups and downs of our friendships.
The poem also explores the idea of love and its connection to friendship. The speaker declares her love for her friend, highlighting the deep emotional connection they share. The use of the mundane topic of taxes also adds to the interpretation of the poem, emphasizing the idea that true friendship transcends everyday concerns and trivialities.
In conclusion, Sonnets 01: We Talk Of Taxes, And I Call You Friend is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the bond between two friends. Its themes of friendship, love, and the importance of human connection resonate deeply with readers, making it a timeless and enduring piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edna St. Vincent Millay's "We Talk of Taxes, and I Call You Friend" is a classic sonnet that captures the essence of friendship and the complexities of societal obligations. The poem is a perfect example of Millay's mastery of language and her ability to convey deep emotions through her words.
The poem begins with the speaker and her friend discussing taxes, a mundane topic that is usually associated with boredom and frustration. However, Millay's use of language elevates the conversation to a higher level, making it more meaningful and significant. The speaker says, "We talk of taxes, and I call you friend," which immediately establishes the bond between the two individuals. The use of the word "friend" is significant because it implies a level of intimacy and trust that is not often found in casual acquaintances.
The second line of the poem, "This much I know: my heart is all awry," reveals the speaker's inner turmoil and emotional state. The use of the word "awry" suggests that the speaker's heart is not functioning properly, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for her emotional state. The fact that she shares this with her friend shows the level of trust and vulnerability that exists between them.
The third and fourth lines of the poem, "For you and I are both accursed with truth, / And we have nothing else to do but die," are particularly powerful. The use of the word "accursed" suggests that the truth is a burden that the speaker and her friend must bear. It also implies that the truth is not always pleasant or desirable. The phrase "we have nothing else to do but die" is a reminder of the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. It also suggests that the speaker and her friend have a shared sense of mortality, which further strengthens their bond.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "And having no more pleasure in the night / Than these five fingers, and the withered heart," are a reflection of the speaker's sense of disillusionment and despair. The use of the phrase "having no more pleasure in the night" suggests that the speaker has lost her sense of joy and wonder, which is a common theme in Millay's poetry. The reference to "these five fingers" and the "withered heart" further emphasizes the speaker's sense of decay and decline.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "I cannot say what loves have come and gone, / I only know that summer sang in me," are a reflection of the speaker's past experiences and memories. The use of the word "loves" suggests that the speaker has had multiple romantic relationships in the past, but they have all ended. The phrase "summer sang in me" is a metaphor for the speaker's sense of vitality and passion, which she has lost over time.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "A moment, that a sound, a kiss, might start / A sudden blood within the veins apart," are a reminder of the power of love and passion. The use of the word "moment" suggests that the speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of these experiences, but she still longs for them. The phrase "a sudden blood within the veins apart" is a metaphor for the physical and emotional response that love and passion can evoke.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, "A moment that a sound, a kiss, might break / The stone heart that is mine, or else forget," are a reflection of the speaker's desire to break free from her emotional numbness. The use of the phrase "stone heart" suggests that the speaker has become emotionally hardened over time, but she still longs for the ability to feel deeply. The phrase "or else forget" suggests that the speaker is aware of the possibility that she may never be able to experience these emotions again.
The final two lines of the poem, "Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink / Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain," are a reminder that love is not the only thing that matters in life. The use of the phrase "it is not meat nor drink" suggests that love is not a physical necessity, but rather an emotional one. The phrase "nor slumber nor a roof against the rain" suggests that love cannot provide shelter or protection from the harsh realities of life. However, the final line of the poem, "Nor yet a floating spar to men that sink / And rise and sink and rise and sink again," suggests that love can provide a sense of hope and buoyancy in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, "We Talk of Taxes, and I Call You Friend" is a powerful and poignant sonnet that captures the complexities of friendship and the human experience. Millay's use of language and imagery is masterful, and her ability to convey deep emotions through her words is truly remarkable. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
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