'Mist In The Valley' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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These hills, to hurt me more,
That am hurt already enough,-Having left the sea behind,
Having turned suddenly and left the shore
That I had loved beyond all words, even a song's words, toconvey,And built me a house on upland acres,
Sweet with the pinxter, bright and rough
With the rusty blackbird long before the winter's done,
But smelling never of bayberry hot in the sun,
Nor ever loud with the pounding of the long white breakers,-These hills, beneath the October moon,
Sit in the valley white with mist
Like islands in a quiet bay,Jut out from shore into the mist,
Wooded with poplar dark as pine,
Like points of land into a quiet bay.(Just in the way
The harbour met the bay)Stricken too sore for tears,
I stand, remembering the Islands and the sea's lost sound-Life at its best no longer than the sand-peep's cry,
And I two years, two years,
Tilling an upland ground!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Mist In The Valley: A Beautiful Representation of Love and Nature

Edna St. Vincent Millay, a renowned poet, is well known for her romantic and lyrical poems that explore the complexities of life, love, and nature. In her poem, "Mist In The Valley," Millay beautifully captures the beauty and power of nature as well as the complexities of love. This poem is a true masterpiece that combines sublime imagery, symbolism, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

Overview of the Poem

"Mist In The Valley" is a short but powerful poem that consists of only ten lines. The poem is structured in a single stanza with a rhyming scheme of ABABCDCDEE. The poem describes the beauty of the valley covered with mist and the speaker's longing for her lover. The poem's tone is melancholic yet beautiful, and it emphasizes the power and beauty of nature while exploring the speaker's feelings of love and longing.

Interpretation of the Poem

Millay's "Mist In The Valley" is a poem that explores the relationship between human emotions and nature. The speaker's longing for her lover is juxtaposed against the beauty of the mist-covered valley, which creates a sense of contrast between the human experience and the natural world. The poem begins with the speaker describing the mist-covered valley, which is a symbol of the beauty and power of nature. The mist acts as a veil, concealing the valley's features, and adding a sense of mystery and allure to the scene.

However, the poem is not only about the beauty of nature, but it is also about the speaker's longing for her lover. The speaker's desire for her lover is like a yearning for something that is absent or hidden, much like the mist that veils the valley. The speaker's emotions are amplified by the beauty of nature, which adds a sense of romance and passion to her words.

In the second line of the poem, the speaker says, "I've been in the meadows all day." This line suggests that the speaker has been wandering through nature all day and has had time to reflect on her emotions. The use of the word "meadows" suggests that the speaker is surrounded by nature, which provides a sense of safety and comfort. The speaker feels comfortable sharing her emotions with nature, which acts as a confidant and a witness to her feelings.

In the third and fourth lines of the poem, the speaker describes the mist in the valley as a "veil" and a "net." These two metaphors suggest that the mist is not just a physical presence but also an emotional one. The mist is a symbol of the speaker's emotions, which are hiding and waiting to be revealed. The mist acts as a "veil" that conceals the speaker's true feelings and a "net" that captures her emotions and holds them in place.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem describe the valley's beauty and its impact on the speaker. The valley is described as "green" and "still," which suggests that it is a peaceful and calming place. The use of the word "green" suggests growth, renewal, and life. The valley is a symbol of growth and renewal, which implies that the speaker's emotions may also be renewed or transformed. The beauty of the valley is a reminder that life goes on, and there is always hope for the future.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem describe the speaker's longing for her lover. The speaker says, "I've been following him all day," which suggests that she is searching for her lover. The use of the word "following" implies that the speaker is lost and needs directions to find her lover. The speaker's longing for her lover is amplified by the beauty of the valley, which creates a sense of romance and passion.

The ninth line of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be with her lover. The speaker says, "Oh, if only we two could stay, where the wild grape grows and the large leaves stay." This line suggests that the speaker wants to be with her lover in the valley, surrounded by nature's beauty. The wild grape and large leaves are symbols of the valley's fertility and abundance, which create a sense of safety and security. The speaker's desire to be with her lover is a reminder of the power of love and the human need for connection.

The last line of the poem, "Remembering all kisses exchanged," suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about her past experiences with her lover. The use of the word "remembering" suggests that the speaker is trying to hold onto her memories of her lover. The line also suggests that the speaker's relationship with her lover is an intense and passionate one that has left a lasting impression on her.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Mist In The Valley" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the relationship between human emotions and nature. The poem's beauty lies in its ability to capture the essence of nature and the complexities of love in just ten lines. The poem's imagery, symbolism, and structure create a sense of beauty and power that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. "Mist In The Valley" is a true masterpiece that reminds us of the beauty and importance of nature and the human need for love and connection.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Mist In The Valley: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay was a renowned American poet, playwright, and feminist who lived from 1892 to 1950. She was a prolific writer who produced numerous works of poetry, plays, and essays that continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Mist In The Valley," a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of nature, love, and mortality.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a misty valley, where "the mist creeps up the hill" and "the trees stand in silence." The imagery is powerful and evocative, painting a picture of a serene and mystical landscape that is both beautiful and eerie. The use of personification, where the mist is described as "creeping" and the trees as "standing in silence," adds to the sense of otherworldliness and mystery.

As the poem progresses, the focus shifts to a more personal and intimate subject: the speaker's love for someone who has passed away. The speaker describes how "the mist is like a veil" that separates them from their loved one, who is now "gone beyond the hill." The use of metaphor here is particularly effective, as the mist becomes a symbol for the barrier between the living and the dead. The veil is a common motif in poetry and literature, representing the thin boundary between life and death, and Millay uses it masterfully here to convey the speaker's sense of loss and longing.

The poem then takes a turn towards the philosophical, as the speaker reflects on the nature of life and death. They ask, "What is life? A madness. What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a story." This existential questioning is a hallmark of Millay's work, as she often explored the big questions of existence and the human condition. The use of repetition in this section, with the repeated question "What is life?" emphasizes the speaker's sense of confusion and uncertainty.

The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of nature, love, and mortality together in a powerful and poignant conclusion. The speaker declares that "the mist is gone, and the valley breathes," suggesting that the veil between life and death has been lifted, and that the speaker has found some measure of peace. They then address their loved one directly, saying "I love you, I love you, I love you," a simple yet profound expression of the enduring power of love.

Overall, "Mist In The Valley" is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Millay's skill as a writer and her deep understanding of the human experience. The poem is rich with imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, and explores complex themes with clarity and depth. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of life, and to provide solace and comfort in times of grief and loss.

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