'Afternoon On A Hill' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Renascence and Other Poems1917I will be the gladdest thingUnder the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowersAnd not pick one.I will look at cliffs and cloudsWith quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,And the grass rise.And when lights begin to showUp from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,And then start down!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Afternoon On A Hill" by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Masterpiece of Sensory Imagery
Have you ever experienced a moment so perfect that it seems to transcend time and space? Maybe it's the way the sun sets behind the mountains, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Or the way the air smells after a summer rain, fresh and clean. Whatever it is, these moments stick with us, etched into our memories as perfect examples of beauty and joy.
Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay captures this feeling perfectly in her poem "Afternoon On A Hill." Using rich sensory imagery and vivid descriptions, Millay transports the reader to a moment of pure beauty and wonder.
The Poem
I will be the gladdest thing Under the sun! I will touch a hundred flowers And not pick one.
I will look at cliffs and clouds With quiet eyes, Watch the wind bow down the grass, And the grass rise.
And when lights begin to show Up from the town, I will mark which must be mine, And then start down!
Analysis
The poem begins with a declaration of joy and an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The speaker, filled with a sense of wonder and awe, proclaims that they will be "the gladdest thing / Under the sun!" This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which focuses on the speaker's observations of the natural world.
The first stanza is particularly notable for its use of sensory imagery. The speaker describes a scene in which they touch "a hundred flowers / And not pick one." This creates a sense of abundance and richness, as if the speaker is surrounded by an endless array of beautiful things. They then look at "cliffs and clouds / with quiet eyes," suggesting a sense of calm and tranquility. Finally, the speaker watches the wind move the grass, creating a sense of movement and energy.
The second stanza focuses on the passage of time, as the speaker notes that "when lights begin to show / Up from the town," they will "mark which must be mine / And then start down!" This suggests that the moment of beauty and wonder is fleeting, and that the speaker is aware of the need to move on and continue with their life.
Interpretation
In many ways, "Afternoon On A Hill" is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The speaker is filled with joy and appreciation for the world around them, and takes the time to really observe and appreciate the small details that make life so rich and rewarding.
At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the fleeting nature of these moments of beauty. Just as the wind moves the grass and the sun sets behind the mountains, so too do these moments pass us by. The speaker is aware of this, and understands that they must continue on with their life even as they hold these moments close to their heart.
Overall, "Afternoon On A Hill" is a masterpiece of sensory imagery and emotional depth. It captures the essence of a moment of pure beauty and wonder, while also acknowledging the transience of these moments. It is a reminder to us all to appreciate the world around us and to hold onto the moments of joy and beauty that we encounter in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Afternoon On A Hill: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay
If you are a poetry lover, you must have come across the name Edna St. Vincent Millay. She was a prolific poet, playwright, and feminist who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923. Her works are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and feminist themes. One of her most famous poems is "Afternoon On A Hill," which captures the essence of nature and the human experience. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece in detail.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the speaker's experience of being on a hill on a sunny afternoon. The first line, "I will be the gladdest thing under the sun!" sets the tone for the poem. The speaker is filled with joy and happiness, and she wants to express it in the most exuberant way possible. She goes on to describe the beauty of the hill, the sky, and the trees. The second line, "I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one," shows the speaker's reverence for nature. She wants to enjoy the beauty of the flowers without disturbing them. This line also suggests that the speaker is not interested in material possessions. She finds joy in simple things like nature.
The third line, "I will look at cliffs and clouds with quiet eyes," shows the speaker's contemplative nature. She is not just looking at the scenery; she is observing it with a sense of wonder and awe. The use of the word "quiet" suggests that the speaker is in a meditative state. She is not distracted by external stimuli but is fully present in the moment.
The fourth line, "Watch the wind bow down the grass," is a beautiful image that captures the power of nature. The wind is not just blowing the grass; it is bowing it down, as if in reverence. This line also suggests that the speaker is not just observing nature; she is participating in it. She is one with the wind, the grass, and the hill.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from nature to the speaker's inner experience. The first line, "And the grass rise," suggests that the speaker is rising with the grass. She is not just a passive observer but an active participant in the experience. The second line, "And the sky turn blue," shows the speaker's connection to the sky. She is not just looking at the sky; she is becoming one with it. The use of the word "turn" suggests a transformation. The speaker is transforming into something greater than herself.
The third line, "And the bird go by," is a beautiful image that captures the fleeting nature of life. The bird is not just flying by; it is going by, as if in a hurry. This line also suggests that the speaker is aware of the impermanence of life. She is not just enjoying the moment; she is savoring it because she knows it will not last forever.
The fourth line, "And the afternoon sun," is a powerful image that captures the essence of the poem. The sun is not just shining; it is an afternoon sun. This line suggests that the speaker is aware of the passing of time. She is not just enjoying the present moment; she is aware that it is an afternoon moment. The use of the word "sun" also suggests that the speaker is aware of the life-giving power of nature.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus back to nature. The first line, "And my heart sings," shows the speaker's emotional response to nature. She is not just observing nature; she is feeling it. The second line, "Of course! Of course!" is a beautiful expression of joy and wonder. The speaker is not just happy; she is ecstatic. The use of the exclamation marks suggests that the speaker is overflowing with emotion.
The third line, "The summertime, and the butterflies," is a beautiful image that captures the beauty of nature. The speaker is not just enjoying the scenery; she is celebrating it. The use of the word "summertime" suggests that the speaker is aware of the season. She is not just enjoying the moment; she is aware of the larger context.
The fourth line, "There will be laughter and love and gladness," is a beautiful expression of the speaker's joy. She is not just happy; she is filled with love and gladness. This line also suggests that the speaker is not alone. She is sharing this experience with others. The use of the word "laughter" suggests that the speaker is in the company of friends.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker's gratitude. The first line, "And I will thank the world," shows the speaker's appreciation for nature. She is not just enjoying the moment; she is grateful for it. The second line, "For the light and the flowers and the song," is a beautiful expression of the speaker's appreciation for the beauty of nature. She is not just enjoying the scenery; she is celebrating it.
The third line, "And I will remember this when the sun goes down," is a powerful image that captures the impermanence of life. The speaker is not just enjoying the moment; she is aware that it will not last forever. The use of the word "remember" suggests that the speaker is aware of the passing of time. She is not just enjoying the present moment; she is aware that it will become a memory.
The final line, "And my heart is satisfied," is a beautiful expression of the speaker's contentment. She is not just happy; she is satisfied. This line also suggests that the speaker has found meaning in the experience. She is not just enjoying the moment; she is finding fulfillment in it.
In conclusion, "Afternoon On A Hill" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. The poem is filled with beautiful images, powerful emotions, and profound insights. It is a celebration of life, love, and beauty. Edna St. Vincent Millay was a master of poetry, and this poem is a testament to her talent and vision. If you are a poetry lover, you must read this poem and savor its beauty.
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