'Rosemary' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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For the sake of some things
That be now no more
I will strew rushes
On my chamber-floor,
I will plant bergamot
At my kitchen-door.For the sake of dim things
That were once so plain
I will set a barrel
Out to catch the rain,
I will hang an iron pot
On an iron crane.Many things be dead and gone
That were brave and gay;
For the sake of these things
I will learn to say,
"An it please you, gentle sirs,"
"Alack!" and "Well-a-day!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Rosemary" by Edna St. Vincent Millay: An Exploration of Love, Loss, and Memory

As I read "Rosemary" by Edna St. Vincent Millay, I am struck by the depth of emotion and the intricate web of imagery that the poem weaves. This classic piece of poetry, first published in 1921, is a poignant and haunting exploration of love, loss, and memory.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing someone, perhaps a lover or a friend, and asking them to bring her rosemary:

Rosemary, my dear, We would not have you linger here, Though the rosemary is green In the pots on the window-sill.

The use of the endearment "my dear" suggests a close relationship between the speaker and the addressee, and the tone is gentle and pleading. The repetition of "rosemary" emphasizes its importance, and we are left wondering why the speaker is so insistent on having it.

As the poem progresses, we learn that the speaker is mourning the loss of someone close to her. The rosemary is a symbol of remembrance, a way to keep the memory of the departed alive. The speaker describes how the scent of rosemary brings back memories of happier times:

Rosemary, for remembrance, and for tears That fall, as though the leaves were weeping, when You think of her who wore it through the years.

Here, Millay uses vivid imagery to convey the emotional impact of the scent of rosemary. The personification of the leaves as weeping adds to the sense of loss and sadness.

But the poem is not just about grief and loss. It also explores the nature of memory and the power of the past to shape our present and future. The speaker asks the addressee to bring the rosemary "while yet the stars are bright," suggesting that there is a sense of urgency to the act of remembering:

Bring it at nightfall, and at dawn, And set it by her picture when she's gone; And when, beneath the cold, red autumn moon, The old house groans with little voices, bring Her rosemary, that she may know the wing Of memory is strong, and takes her soon.

The repetition of "bring" and the use of the imperative mood create a sense of urgency and importance. The speaker wants the addressee to understand the power of memory and its ability to transport us to another time and place.

The use of imagery is particularly effective in this section of the poem. The "cold, red autumn moon" and the "old house groaning with little voices" create a sense of eerie, almost supernatural, atmosphere. The rosemary becomes a talisman, a way to connect with the departed and keep their memory alive.

What I find particularly interesting about "Rosemary" is the way in which Millay explores the theme of memory. The poem suggests that memories are not just static snapshots of the past, but dynamic forces that shape our present and future. The speaker wants the rosemary to be placed next to a picture of the departed, suggesting that memory is not just about recalling events, but about creating a sense of presence and connection.

The poem also suggests that memories can be both painful and healing. The speaker is clearly grieving, but the act of remembering through the rosemary is a way to keep the departed close and to find solace in the past. The final lines of the poem, with their suggestion of flight and release, offer a sense of hope:

That she may feel, as in a swoon, The kiss of memory on her brow, And turn her face to the red moon And sing to her, as I do now.

The image of the departed feeling the "kiss of memory" on her brow is a beautiful and poignant one. It suggests a sense of connection and continuity, and the idea that memory can provide comfort and solace even in the face of loss.

In conclusion, "Rosemary" by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a stunning exploration of love, loss, and memory. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem evokes a sense of grief and longing, but also offers a sense of hope and connection. As I read this classic piece of poetry, I am struck by its timeless relevance and its ability to evoke emotions that are universal and timeless.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and transport the reader to a different world. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Rosemary" by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This classic poem is a beautiful ode to the power of memory and the fragility of life. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its deeper meanings.

"Rosemary" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two quatrains and a sestet, with the rhyme scheme being ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The meter is iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This strict structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is in contrast to the chaotic nature of the subject matter.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a sprig of rosemary, a fragrant herb that has long been associated with memory and remembrance. The speaker asks the rosemary to "lay her green hands lightly" upon her, as if to invoke the power of memory. The use of the word "lightly" suggests that the speaker is aware of the fragility of memory and how easily it can be lost or forgotten.

In the second quatrain, the speaker reflects on the transience of life and how quickly it passes by. The line "Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in" is a metaphor for life, with the speaker comparing it to a river that she is fishing in. The use of the word "stream" suggests that life is constantly moving and changing, and that it is impossible to hold onto it. The line "I drink at it; but while I drink, I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is" is a powerful image that conveys the idea that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of it while we can.

In the sestet, the speaker reflects on the power of memory and how it can help us to hold onto the past. The line "It is not true that life is one damn thing after another" suggests that life is not just a series of random events, but that there is meaning and purpose to it. The use of the word "damn" suggests that the speaker is frustrated with the idea that life is meaningless and that there is no point to it.

The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says that "To be alive is not to be forgiven" and that "Memory is not a mast to lean against". These lines suggest that life is not about seeking forgiveness or relying on the past to guide us. Instead, we must live in the present and make the most of the time we have.

Overall, "Rosemary" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of memory, transience, and the fragility of life. The strict structure of the sonnet gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is in contrast to the chaotic nature of the subject matter. The use of metaphors and imagery helps to convey the deeper meanings of the poem, and the final two lines are a powerful reminder that we must live in the present and make the most of the time we have.

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