'Song Of A Second April' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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April this year, not otherwise
Than April of a year ago,
Is full of whispers, full of sighs,
Of dazzling mud and dingy snow;
Hepaticas that pleased you so
Are here again, and butterflies.There rings a hammering all day,
And shingles lie about the doors;
In orchards near and far away
The grey wood-pecker taps and bores;
The men are merry at their chores,
And children earnest at their play.The larger streams run still and deep,
Noisy and swift the small brooks run
Among the mullein stalks the sheep
Go up the hillside in the sun,
Pensively,-only you are gone,
You that alone I cared to keep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Song of a Second April: A Poem of Life's Renewal

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay is a testament to the beauty and complexity of life. In her poem "Song of a Second April," she celebrates the rebirth of nature in the spring and reflects on the cyclical nature of life. As the world awakens from its winter slumber, Millay reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth.

The Poem's Form and Structure

"Song of a Second April" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Millay's sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables in each line and a pattern of unstressed-stressed syllables. The poem's rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme. The final couplet has a rhyme of its own (GG).

The sonnet form is traditionally used to explore themes of love and romance, but Millay uses it here to explore the themes of rebirth and renewal. The use of the sonnet form helps to create a sense of order and structure, mirroring the natural order and structure of the seasons themselves.

The Poem's Themes

"Song of a Second April" explores the themes of renewal, growth, and the cyclical nature of life. Millay uses the changing of the seasons as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The poem opens with a description of the "cold spring," a time when the world is still waking up from the long, dark winter. But even in this moment of dormancy, Millay finds beauty in the "bare boughs" and the "sudden mirth" of the birds.

As the poem progresses, Millay explores the idea that even though time passes and things change, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth. She writes that "life in itself / Is nothing, / An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs." But she goes on to say that it is our ability to "fill it / To the brim, and even beyond," that makes life worth living.

The final couplet of the poem is particularly powerful, as Millay reflects on the inevitability of death and reminds us that even in the face of this finality, there is still the possibility of growth and renewal: "And since to look at things in bloom / Fifty springs are little room."

The Poem's Imagery and Language

Millay's use of language and imagery in "Song of a Second April" is what brings the poem to life. She uses vivid, sensory language to describe the changing of the seasons and the beauty of nature. For example, she writes that the "willow's whiteness is a note / That from the morning's first blue-violet / Is missing," and that the "tulips are too red in the first light."

Millay also uses figurative language to explore the poem's themes. She compares life to an "empty cup" and a "flight of uncarpeted stairs," emphasizing the idea that it is our choices and actions that give life meaning. She uses personification to bring the natural world to life, describing the sun as a "fellow-mortal" and the "birds in merry-making" as having "hearts like ours."

Conclusion

"Song of a Second April" is a beautiful and poignant poem that celebrates the beauty and complexity of life. Millay reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth. Her use of the sonnet form, vivid language, and powerful imagery make this poem a timeless exploration of the cycles of life and the beauty of the natural world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and transport us to another world. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Song of a Second April" by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's thoughts and feelings about the changing seasons and the passage of time. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Firstly, let's delve into the background of the poet. Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet and playwright who lived from 1892 to 1950. She was known for her lyrical and passionate poetry that often explored themes of love, death, and nature. Millay was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923 for her collection "The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver." Her poetry was widely popular during her lifetime and continues to be celebrated today.

Now, let's turn our attention to "Song of a Second April." This poem was first published in 1921 in Millay's second collection of poetry, also titled "A Second April." The poem is a reflection on the changing seasons and the passage of time. It is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and tone.

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem and establishes the theme of change. Millay writes, "April this year, not otherwise / Than April of a year ago, / Is full of whispers, full of sighs, / Of dazzling mud and dingy snow." The poet is describing the arrival of spring, which is a time of transition and change. The use of the word "whispers" and "sighs" creates a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. The contrast between "dazzling mud" and "dingy snow" highlights the beauty and ugliness that coexist in nature.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the poet's personal experience of change. Millay writes, "In me alone 'tis summer yet, / And I must sing, for spring has done her fling, / Built me my nest, and sweetly sung." The poet is acknowledging that while the world around her is changing, she is still in a state of summer. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the poet's emotional state. She may be experiencing a sense of stagnation or resistance to change. The use of the word "nest" suggests a sense of comfort and security, but also a sense of being trapped.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of acceptance and resignation. Millay writes, "I cannot tell you how it was, / But this I know: it came to pass / Upon a bright and breezy day / When May was young; ah, pleasant May!" The poet is reflecting on a moment of realization that occurred on a beautiful day in May. The use of the word "pleasant" suggests a sense of contentment and acceptance. The repetition of the word "May" creates a sense of cyclical time, suggesting that the poet has come full circle in her understanding of change and the passage of time.

Now that we have explored the themes of "Song of a Second April," let's take a closer look at the structure and literary devices used in the poem. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This allows the poet to experiment with language and create a more natural and conversational tone. The lack of a strict structure also reflects the theme of change and the unpredictability of life.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices to create a sense of imagery and emotion. One such device is personification, which is the attribution of human qualities to non-human objects or concepts. Millay personifies the month of April, describing it as "full of whispers, full of sighs." This creates a sense of anticipation and uncertainty, as if the month itself is alive and aware of the changes taking place.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor, which is the comparison of two unlike things. Millay uses the metaphor of the changing seasons to explore the theme of change and the passage of time. She writes, "April this year, not otherwise / Than April of a year ago." This comparison highlights the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change.

Finally, the poem makes use of repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The repetition of the word "May" in the final stanza creates a sense of cyclical time and emphasizes the poet's acceptance of change.

In conclusion, "Song of a Second April" is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the themes of change and the passage of time. The poem is written in free verse and makes use of several literary devices, including personification, metaphor, and repetition. The poem's structure and language reflect the theme of change and the unpredictability of life. Overall, this classic poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotion and transport us to another world.

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