'Journey' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Ah, could I lay me down in this long grass
And close my eyes, and let the quiet wind
Blow over me-I am so tired, so tired
Of passing pleasant places! All my life,
Following Care along the dusty road,
Have I looked back at loveliness and sighed;
Yet at my hand an unrelenting hand
Tugged ever, and I passed. All my life long
Over my shoulder have I looked at peace;
And now I fain would lie in this long grass
And close my eyes.Yet onward!Cat birds call
Through the long afternoon, and creeks at dusk
Are guttural. Whip-poor-wills wake and cry,
Drawing the twilight close about their throats.
Only my heart makes answer. Eager vines
Go up the rocks and wait; flushed apple-trees
Pause in their dance and break the ring for me;
And bayberry, that through sweet bevies thread
Of round-faced roses, pink and petulant,
Look back and beckon ere they disappear.
Only my heart, only my heart responds.
Yet, ah, my path is sweet on either side
All through the dragging day,-sharp underfoot
And hot, and like dead mist the dry dust hangs-
But far, oh, far as passionate eye can reach,
And long, ah, long as rapturous eye can cling,
The world is mine: blue hill, still silver lake,
Broad field, bright flower, and the long white road
A gateless garden, and an open path:
My feet to follow, and my heart to hold.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Journey Through Emotions: An Interpretation of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Journey”
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were on a journey too? That’s how I felt when I read Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Journey.” This poem is not just about traveling physically from one place to another, but it’s also about traveling emotionally through different stages of life.
In this literary criticism, I will analyze the themes, literary devices, and meanings behind Millay’s “Journey.” I will argue that this poem is a journey through different emotions, from hope and joy to fear and despair, and ultimately to acceptance and peace.
The Journey Begins
The speaker in “Journey” starts by contemplating the beginning of her journey. She says, “Ah, could I lay me down in this long grass / And close my eyes, and let the quiet wind / Blow over me.”
This first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is imagining herself lying in the long grass, letting the wind blow over her, and feeling a sense of peace. She is in a hopeful and joyful state at the beginning of her journey.
The Journey of Life
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to talk about the different stages of her life. She describes how she’s gone from youth to adulthood, and how her experiences have shaped her.
She says, “The child that loved you / Is dead, / And the woman you knew / Is a ghost.”
This stanza is particularly powerful because it shows how the speaker has changed over time. The child that loved is dead, and the woman is a ghost. The speaker has transformed from a child to a woman, and she’s experienced loss and change in the process.
The Journey Through Fear
As the speaker continues on her journey, she starts to feel fear. She talks about how the shadows are closing in on her, and how she’s afraid of what might happen next.
She says, “And the shadows of the leaves / Full of whisperings, creep / Upon me;… And I fear lest the day / Is with me still.”
This stanza is significant because it shows how fear can creep up on us, even when we least expect it. The shadows of the leaves are full of whisperings, and the speaker is afraid of what they might be saying. She’s also afraid that the day is still with her, meaning that she’s stuck in a place of fear and uncertainty.
The Journey Through Despair
The speaker’s fear turns into despair as she continues on her journey. She says, “And I hear / And I see / Not any more, / Not any more / All that was a part of me.”
This stanza is heartbreaking because it shows how the speaker has lost sight of who she is. She can’t see or hear anything anymore, and she’s lost touch with all that was a part of her. This is a moment of complete despair, and it’s a reminder of how difficult the journey of life can be.
The Journey to Acceptance
Despite the fear and despair the speaker has experienced, she ultimately reaches a place of acceptance. She says, “But let me quiet this old town, / Let the past bury its own dead, / Let me forget the knocking on the door, / The dead voice at the window.”
This stanza is significant because it shows how the speaker has come to terms with her past. She wants to quiet the old town, bury the past, and forget the things that have haunted her. She’s ready to move on and accept what life has given her.
The Journey to Peace
The poem ends with the speaker finding peace. She says, “And I know that I / Am honored to be / Witness / Of so much majesty.”
This final stanza is beautiful because it shows how the speaker has found peace in the majesty of life. She’s honored to be a witness to all that life has to offer, and she’s come to accept her place in the world.
Literary Devices
Throughout “Journey,” Millay uses a variety of literary devices to convey the speaker’s emotions and experiences. One of the most prominent devices she uses is imagery. She describes the long grass, the whisperings in the shadows, and the dead voice at the window in vivid detail, which helps to bring the poem to life and make it more relatable.
Millay also uses repetition to emphasize certain lines and create a sense of rhythm. For example, she repeats the phrase “Not any more” several times in stanza four, which adds to the feeling of despair and loss.
Finally, Millay uses metaphor to convey the speaker’s emotions. For example, she compares the woman the speaker used to be to a ghost, which helps to show how much the speaker has changed over time.
Conclusion
“Journey” is a powerful poem that takes the reader on an emotional journey through different stages of life. The speaker goes from hope and joy to fear and despair, and ultimately reaches a place of acceptance and peace.
Through the use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor, Millay is able to convey the speaker’s emotions and experiences in a way that is relatable and moving. This poem is a reminder that life can be difficult, but it’s possible to find peace and acceptance in the end.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions, and inspire us. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers is "Poetry Journey" by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This classic poem takes us on a journey through the different stages of a poet's life, from the initial spark of inspiration to the final acceptance of death. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and overall structure of this masterpiece.
The poem begins with the line, "Oh, there's a poem in my heart that I've been saving for you!" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker has been waiting for the right moment to share their innermost thoughts and feelings. The use of the word "saving" implies that the poem is something valuable and precious, something that the speaker has been holding onto for a long time.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker's journey as a poet unfold. The second stanza describes the initial spark of inspiration, as the speaker says, "I saw a bird on the wing, and I knew that I must sing." This line suggests that the speaker has been inspired by the beauty of nature, and that this inspiration has led them to create something of their own. The use of the word "must" implies that the speaker feels a sense of urgency to create, as if they cannot help but express themselves through poetry.
The third stanza describes the process of writing, as the speaker says, "I took a pen in my hand, and I wrote what I could understand." This line suggests that the act of writing is a way for the speaker to make sense of their thoughts and feelings. The use of the word "understand" implies that the act of writing is a way for the speaker to gain clarity and insight into their own mind.
The fourth stanza describes the struggle that many poets face when trying to share their work with others. The speaker says, "But when I showed it to you, you said it would never do." This line suggests that the speaker has faced rejection and criticism, and that this has made them doubt their own abilities as a poet. The use of the word "never" implies that the criticism was harsh and final, as if the speaker's work was beyond redemption.
The fifth stanza describes the process of revision, as the speaker says, "So I took my pen in my hand, and I wrote it all over again." This line suggests that the speaker is determined to improve their work, even in the face of rejection. The use of the phrase "wrote it all over again" implies that the speaker is willing to start from scratch and rework their poem until it meets their own standards.
The sixth stanza describes the joy that comes with finally sharing one's work with others. The speaker says, "And when I showed it to you, you said it was good and true." This line suggests that the speaker has finally found someone who appreciates their work, and that this has given them a sense of validation and satisfaction. The use of the words "good and true" implies that the speaker's work is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also has a deeper meaning and truth.
The seventh stanza describes the final stage of the poet's journey, as the speaker says, "And now that I am old and gray, I have no more to say." This line suggests that the speaker has reached the end of their creative journey, and that they have nothing left to express through poetry. The use of the words "old and gray" implies that the speaker has lived a long and full life, and that they are now ready to accept their own mortality.
The final stanza of the poem describes the legacy that the speaker leaves behind, as they say, "But I have left my poem with you, and that will have to do." This line suggests that the speaker's work will live on after they are gone, and that this is enough for them. The use of the word "left" implies that the speaker has passed on their work as a gift, something that will continue to inspire and move others long after they are gone.
Overall, "Poetry Journey" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of what it means to be a poet. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and poignant themes, this poem takes us on a journey through the different stages of a poet's life, from the initial spark of inspiration to the final acceptance of death. It reminds us that poetry is not just a form of art, but a way of life, a way of expressing our deepest thoughts and feelings, and a way of leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
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