'Exiled' by Edna St. Vincent Millay


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Searching my heart for its true sorrow,
This is the thing I find to be:
That I am weary of words and people,
Sick of the city, wanting the sea;Wanting the sticky, salty sweetness
Of the strong wind and shattered spray;
Wanting the loud sound and the soft sound
Of the big surf that breaks all day.Always before about my dooryard,
Marking the reach of the winter sea,
Rooted in sand and dragging drift-wood,
Straggled the purple wild sweet-pea;Always I climbed the wave at morning,
Shook the sand from my shoes at night,
That now am caught beneath great buildings,
Stricken with noise, confused with light.If I could hear the green piles groaning
Under the windy wooden piers,
See once again the bobbing barrels,
And the black sticks that fence the weirs,If I could see the weedy mussels
Crusting the wrecked and rotting hulls,
Hear once again the hungry crying
Overhead, of the wheeling gulls,Feel once again the shanty straining
Under the turning of the tide,
Fear once again the rising freshet,
Dread the bell in the fog outside,-I should be happy,-that was happy
All day long on the coast of Maine!
I have a need to hold and handle
Shells and anchors and ships again!I should be happy, that am happy
Never at all since I came here.
I am too long away from water.
I have a need of water near.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Exiled by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Imagery

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this poem? Edna St. Vincent Millay has created a true masterpiece with "Poetry, Exiled." The emotional depth and vivid imagery that she creates in just fourteen lines is absolutely breathtaking. I could spend hours analyzing every word and phrase, but for the sake of brevity, I'll focus on a few key aspects that I believe make this poem so powerful.

The Theme of Exile

First and foremost, let's talk about the theme of exile that runs throughout the poem. Millay begins by describing poetry as "a queen in a palace of bone," but then immediately undercuts this image by saying that she is "sentenced to live alone." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is essentially an exploration of what it means to be exiled.

Throughout the poem, Millay uses a variety of metaphors and images to convey this sense of isolation and separation. For example, she refers to poetry as "a bird in a cage," "a star in a sky of stone," and "a flower grown in a garden of ash." Each of these images serves to emphasize the idea that poetry is something beautiful and valuable, but also something that is cut off from the world around it.

The Power of Emotion

Another key aspect of this poem is the power of emotion that Millay is able to convey. Despite its brevity, "Poetry, Exiled" is absolutely packed with raw feeling. The lines "I weep for the exile of my youth / And the murmurings of love that lie too deep for tears" are particularly striking. The word "exile" is repeated, driving home the theme of isolation, while the phrase "lie too deep for tears" suggests a level of emotional pain that is almost too intense to put into words.

As the poem progresses, Millay continues to use language in powerful and evocative ways. One of my favorite lines is "But I have built myself a throne / In a kingdom of gray-green stone." The image of a "kingdom of gray-green stone" is hauntingly beautiful, and it conveys a sense of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

The Use of Imagery

Of course, I can't talk about "Poetry, Exiled" without mentioning the incredible use of imagery throughout the poem. Millay is a master at creating vivid and evocative images, and this poem is no exception.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the line "I am a tree, rooted in a river of pain." The metaphor of a tree rooted in a river is both beautiful and poignant, suggesting both strength and vulnerability at the same time. The idea of pain as a river also adds to the sense of emotional intensity that runs throughout the poem.

Another image that I find particularly powerful is the line "And my heart is a house of fire / Burning eternally with love." The metaphor of a burning heart is a common one, but Millay takes it to a new level by describing it as a "house of fire." The image suggests both passion and danger, and it adds to the sense of emotional intensity that runs throughout the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Exiled" is a truly remarkable poem. Edna St. Vincent Millay is able to convey a sense of isolation and emotional intensity that is both haunting and beautiful. Her use of imagery is superb, and each line is packed with raw feeling. This is a poem that will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Exiled: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most prominent poets of the 20th century, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry Exiled." This poem is a powerful reflection on the nature of poetry and its place in society. In this article, we will explore the themes and imagery of this poem and analyze its significance in the context of Millay's life and work.

The poem begins with a striking image of poetry as a "wild thing" that has been "caught and caged." This metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lament for the loss of poetry's freedom and vitality. Millay portrays poetry as a force of nature that cannot be tamed or controlled, and she mourns its exile from the world of human affairs.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea that poetry is a form of communication between humans and the natural world. Millay writes, "It sang itself alive in the sun, / God's messenger of truth and beauty." Here, poetry is portrayed as a divine messenger that brings truth and beauty to humanity. The use of the word "alive" suggests that poetry is a living thing, with its own agency and power.

The third stanza of the poem is a powerful indictment of the way that society has marginalized poetry. Millay writes, "But we, with our puny tools, / Have hewn it down for sport or greed." Here, the poet is criticizing the way that humans have used poetry for their own purposes, rather than respecting it as a vital force in its own right. The use of the word "puny" suggests that humans are small and insignificant compared to the power of poetry.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a meditation on the nature of exile. Millay writes, "And now in the night of the world / It lies like a ghost, forgotten." Here, poetry is portrayed as a ghostly presence that haunts the world, reminding us of what we have lost. The use of the word "night" suggests that the world is in a state of darkness and ignorance, and that poetry is a beacon of light that can guide us back to truth and beauty.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Millay writes, "O poets, come and sing with me / A song of love and life renewed." Here, the poet is urging her fellow poets to join her in a celebration of life and creativity. The use of the word "renewed" suggests that poetry has the power to revitalize and renew the world, bringing it back to a state of harmony and beauty.

Overall, "Poetry Exiled" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a poet in a world that often fails to appreciate the power and beauty of poetry. Millay's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of urgency and passion that is both inspiring and thought-provoking.

In the context of Millay's life and work, "Poetry Exiled" can be seen as a reflection of her own struggles as a poet. Millay was a fiercely independent and unconventional woman who often found herself at odds with the social norms of her time. She was also a passionate advocate for the power of poetry to transform the world, and she believed that poets had a responsibility to use their art to speak truth to power.

In conclusion, "Poetry Exiled" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that speaks to the enduring power and beauty of the poetic imagination. Through its vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, this poem reminds us of the vital role that poetry plays in our lives, and it challenges us to embrace the power of creativity and imagination as a force for good in the world.

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