'Three Songs Of Shattering' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Renascence and Other Poems1917IThe first rose on my rose-treeBudded, bloomed, and shattered,
During sad days when to meNothing mattered.Grief of grief has drained me clean;Still it seems a pity
No one saw,-it must have beenVery pretty.IILet the little birds sing;Let the little lambs play;
Spring is here; and so 'tis spring;-But not in the old way!I recall a placeWhere a plum-tree grew;
There you lifted up your face,And blossoms covered you.If the little birds sing,And the little lambs play,
Spring is here; and so 'tis spring-But not in the old way!IIIAll the dog-wood blossoms are underneath the tree!Ere spring was going-ah, spring is gone!
And there comes no summer to the like of you and me,-Blossom time is early, but no fruit sets on.All the dog-wood blossoms are underneath the tree,Browned at the edges, turned in a day;
And I would with all my heart they trimmed a mound for me,And weeds were tall on all the paths that led that way!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Three Songs Of Shattering: An Analysis of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Poetry
Edna St. Vincent Millay is known for her bold and daring poetry, which explores themes of love, loss, and the human experience. One of her most famous works is Three Songs Of Shattering, a collection of three poems that delve into the pain of heartbreak and the struggle to move on. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, imagery, and language used in these poems, and explore what they reveal about Millay's views on love and loss.
The First Song
The first poem in Three Songs Of Shattering is titled "I shall forget you presently, my dear". The poem begins with the speaker addressing the person who has caused her heartbreak, telling them that she will soon forget them. The language in this poem is simple and straightforward, which gives the impression that the speaker is trying to convince herself that she can move on. There is a sense of desperation in the lines, "Yet if you should forget me for a while / And afterwards remember, do not grieve", which suggests that the speaker is trying to make peace with the idea of being forgotten by the person she loves.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's resolve begins to waver. She admits that she will never truly forget the person who has caused her pain, and that their memory will always haunt her. This is expressed in the lines, "But not too long for now / The glass is falling hour by hour, the glass will fall / For ever, but if you break the bloody glass / You won't hold up the rain". The metaphor of the falling glass represents the passage of time, which is constantly moving forward and taking the speaker further away from the person she loves. The final line of the poem is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even if the person she loves were to come back to her, they would not be able to fix the damage that has been done.
The Second Song
The second poem in Three Songs Of Shattering is titled "What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why". This poem explores the speaker's memories of past loves, and the pain of realizing that those relationships are now over. The imagery in this poem is particularly powerful, with the speaker describing the "ghosts" of her past loves that haunt her. The line, "And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain", suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the fact that these loves are now lost to her forever.
One of the most striking elements of this poem is the contrast between the speaker's memories of the past and the realities of the present. The line, "I have forgotten, and what arms have lain / Under my head till morning; but the rain / Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh", highlights the fact that while the speaker may have forgotten the details of her past loves, the emotions and pain associated with those memories still linger. The use of the word "ghosts" to describe these memories is particularly powerful, as it suggests that they are haunting the speaker like a specter, and will not let her go.
The Third Song
The final poem in Three Songs Of Shattering is titled "What thing shall I turn to, that is not there". This poem explores the speaker's struggle to find meaning in a world that now seems empty and meaningless. The language in this poem is desolate and bleak, with the speaker describing the world as a "vacant hearted" place. The central theme of this poem is the search for something (or someone) to fill the void left by the loss of a great love.
The imagery in this poem is particularly powerful, with the speaker describing the world as "a dread explored / Whose uttermost abysses are black abysms of love". This suggests that the speaker has delved deep into the depths of her own pain and loss, and has found nothing but darkness and emptiness. The final lines of the poem are particularly striking, as they suggest that the speaker has given up on finding anything to fill the void left by her lost love. The line, "Love has gone and left me and the days are all alike", suggests that the speaker is resigned to a life without love, and that the days now all blur together in a monotonous cycle of emptiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Three Songs Of Shattering is a powerful collection of poems that explore the pain of heartbreak and the struggle to move on. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Edna St. Vincent Millay captures the raw emotions and pain associated with lost love. Each of the three poems in this collection explores a different aspect of heartbreak and loss, from the attempt to forget the person who has caused the pain, to the memories of past loves that haunt the speaker, to the struggle to find meaning in a world that now seems empty and meaningless.
Overall, Three Songs Of Shattering is a haunting and beautiful collection of poems that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of lost love. Through her powerful words and vivid imagery, Edna St. Vincent Millay captures the essence of heartbreak and loss, and offers a glimpse into the human experience of love and its aftermath.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edna St. Vincent Millay's Three Songs of Shattering is a classic piece of poetry that has been celebrated for its evocative imagery and emotional depth. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of shattering. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of each of these parts, and examine how they work together to create a powerful and moving work of art.
The first part of the poem, titled "I. The Unexplorer," sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It begins with the lines "There was a road ran past our house / Too lovely to explore." These lines immediately establish a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire, as the speaker is drawn to the beauty of the road but cannot bring themselves to explore it. This sense of longing is further emphasized by the repetition of the word "explore" throughout the stanza.
As the stanza progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of this unexplored road. They describe it as "a road that sought the sky," suggesting that it represents a path to something higher or more transcendent. However, the speaker also notes that the road is "too high for one to seek / Alone." This line suggests that the path to transcendence is not something that can be achieved alone, but requires the support and companionship of others.
The final lines of the stanza bring the theme of shattering into focus. The speaker describes how the road "shattered and was not." This image of shattering suggests that the path to transcendence is not a smooth or easy one, but is fraught with obstacles and challenges. The fact that the road "was not" also suggests that the speaker's desire to explore it was ultimately futile, as the road no longer exists.
The second part of the poem, titled "II. The Penitent," explores the theme of shattering in a more personal and emotional way. The stanza begins with the lines "The woodcutter's axe begged for its handle / The wood was obliged." This image of the axe begging for its handle suggests a sense of powerlessness and submission, as the axe is dependent on the woodcutter to give it purpose and direction.
As the stanza progresses, the speaker reflects on their own sense of powerlessness and submission. They describe themselves as a "penitent" who is "bowed by the weight of his own soul." This image suggests a sense of guilt or shame, as the speaker feels burdened by their own inner turmoil.
The final lines of the stanza bring the theme of shattering into focus once again. The speaker describes how they "shattered the moon, but the stars remained." This image of shattering suggests a sense of destruction and chaos, as the speaker's actions have disrupted the natural order of things. However, the fact that the stars remain suggests that there is still hope and possibility, even in the midst of destruction.
The third and final part of the poem, titled "III. The Wood," brings together the themes of longing, powerlessness, and shattering in a powerful and moving way. The stanza begins with the lines "Out of the ash / I rise with my red hair / And I eat men like air." These lines immediately establish a sense of strength and power, as the speaker rises from the ashes and consumes those around them.
As the stanza progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of their power. They describe themselves as a "wood" that is "hollow of hawks" and "full of the red tears of song." This image suggests a sense of emptiness and vulnerability, as the speaker is both prey and predator.
The final lines of the stanza bring the themes of shattering and longing into focus once again. The speaker describes how they "shatter and blaze" and "long to be loved in vain." This image of shattering suggests a sense of pain and suffering, as the speaker's desire for love is ultimately unfulfilled. However, the fact that they continue to blaze suggests a sense of resilience and strength, as they refuse to be defeated by their pain.
In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's Three Songs of Shattering is a powerful and moving work of poetry that explores the themes of longing, powerlessness, and shattering in a profound and evocative way. Through its use of vivid imagery and emotional depth, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of pain and suffering, and offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
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