'When We Are Old And These Rejoicing Veins' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Fatal InterviewWhen we are old and these rejoicing veins
Are frosty channels to a muted stream,
And out of all our burning there remains
No feeblest spark to fire us, even in dream,
This be our solace: that it was not said
When we were young and warm and in our prime,
Upon our couch we lay as lie the dead,
Sleeping away the unreturning time.
O sweet, O heavy-lidded, O my love,
When morning strikes her spear upon the land,
And we must rise and arm us and reprove
The insolent daylight with a steady hand,
Be not discountenanced if the knowing know
We rose from rapture but an hour ago.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "When We Are Old And These Rejoicing Veins" by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Have you ever read a poem that just stuck with you long after you finished reading it? That's how I felt after reading "When We Are Old And These Rejoicing Veins" by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This beautiful poem captures the essence of aging and the passage of time in a way that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, imagery, and structure of this classic piece of poetry.

Themes

One of the main themes of "When We Are Old And These Rejoicing Veins" is the inevitability of aging and the passage of time. The poem begins with the line "When we are old and these rejoicing veins," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Throughout the poem, Millay uses vivid imagery to describe the physical changes that come with aging, such as "when our arms are no longer young and strong."

But this poem is not just about the physical aspects of aging. Millay also touches on the emotional toll that time can take on us. She writes, "And we have no more dreams to dream," which speaks to the idea that as we age, we may lose our sense of passion and purpose. The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the idea that even though we may be old and frail, we can still find beauty and joy in the world around us.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of love and companionship. Millay writes about growing old with someone, and the comfort that can come from having a partner to share the ups and downs of life with. The line "And sat by the fireside, wrapped in a gown / red as the sunset" is particularly striking, as it speaks to the idea of finding warmth and comfort in the presence of a loved one.

Imagery

One of the things that makes "When We Are Old And These Rejoicing Veins" such a powerful poem is the vivid imagery that Millay uses throughout. From the opening line, the reader is transported to a world where time is marching on and the physical effects of aging are inescapable. Millay writes, "When we are old and these rejoicing veins / Are frosty channels to a muted stream," which conjures up an image of veins that are no longer pulsing with life, but are instead cold and still.

Throughout the poem, Millay uses the imagery of nature to illustrate the passage of time. She writes, "When we are old and full of sleep, / And nodding by the fire, take down this book, / And slowly read, and dream of the soft look / Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep," which speaks to the idea that our memories of love and companionship can be as warm and comforting as a fire on a cold night.

Perhaps the most powerful imagery in the poem comes in the final stanza, when Millay writes, "And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, / Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings." This image of peace dropping down from the morning sky is hauntingly beautiful, and speaks to the idea that even in our final days, we can find moments of joy and serenity.

Structure

The structure of "When We Are Old And These Rejoicing Veins" is also worth examining. The poem is written in four stanzas, each of which contains four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance.

The use of enjambment throughout the poem is also notable. Millay often ends a line mid-thought, which gives the poem a sense of movement and momentum. For example, in the second stanza, Millay writes, "When we are old and these / Rejoicing veins are vexed with toil and pain," which creates a sense of urgency and restlessness.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly interesting from a structural perspective. Millay breaks from the ABAB rhyme scheme and instead uses a more irregular rhyme scheme. This creates a sense of disorientation, which mirrors the idea that as we age, our lives become less structured and predictable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "When We Are Old And These Rejoicing Veins" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of aging and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful themes, Edna St. Vincent Millay creates a portrait of life that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the human condition, and a reminder that even in our old age, we can find beauty and joy in the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

When we are old and these rejoicing veins is a classic poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the inevitability of aging and the fleeting nature of youth. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a hypothetical future self, imagining a time when they are old and their veins no longer rejoice. The speaker then reflects on the joys of youth, the beauty of nature, and the fleeting nature of time. The poem ends with the speaker accepting the inevitability of aging and finding solace in the memories of their youth.

One of the central themes of this poem is the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The speaker reflects on the joys of youth and the beauty of nature, but also acknowledges that these things are fleeting and will eventually fade away. This theme is reinforced by the use of imagery throughout the poem. For example, the speaker describes the "green breast of the new world" and the "golden feet of April" to evoke the beauty of nature. However, these images are juxtaposed with the image of "the wrinkled sea beneath the sunset" to show the passage of time and the eventual decay of all things.

Another important theme in this poem is the idea of memory and nostalgia. The speaker reflects on the joys of youth and finds solace in the memories of those times. This is evident in lines such as "And we shall go, with stillness of the stars, / And the sound of the hours will be like music" and "And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow." These lines suggest that the speaker finds comfort in the memories of their youth and that these memories will provide solace in old age.

The structure of this poem is also worth examining. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a natural, conversational tone that makes it feel like a personal reflection. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the central theme of aging. The second stanza reflects on the joys of youth and the beauty of nature. The third stanza brings the poem to a close by accepting the inevitability of aging and finding solace in memories.

The use of literary devices in this poem is also noteworthy. One of the most striking devices used is personification. The speaker personifies their veins, describing them as "rejoicing" in youth but acknowledging that they will eventually "run cold" in old age. This personification gives the poem a sense of intimacy and makes it feel like a personal reflection on the passage of time.

Another literary device used in this poem is imagery. As mentioned earlier, the poem is full of vivid images that evoke the beauty of nature and the passage of time. For example, the speaker describes "the green breast of the new world" and "the golden feet of April" to evoke the beauty of nature. These images are juxtaposed with the image of "the wrinkled sea beneath the sunset" to show the passage of time and the eventual decay of all things.

Finally, the use of repetition in this poem is also worth noting. The phrase "And I shall have" is repeated several times throughout the poem, each time with a different object of desire. This repetition gives the poem a sense of structure and reinforces the theme of finding solace in memories.

In conclusion, When we are old and these rejoicing veins is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The poem uses vivid imagery, personification, and repetition to evoke the beauty of youth and the fleeting nature of time. The poem ends with the speaker accepting the inevitability of aging and finding solace in the memories of their youth. This poem is a timeless reflection on the human experience and a reminder to cherish the moments we have while we have them.

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