Thursday, July 20, 2006

Poetry Thursday

I have debated on this week's topic. John Donne, The Flea? Andrew Marvell, To His Coy Mistress? I love the humor and the light-hearted approach to sex in both of these poems. And yet, I didn't choose an amusing poem, but one that expresses the importance of sex and its loss.

The photo is by Carl Van Vechten; it was taken in 1933 and is considered public domain. Found on Wikipedia.






What Lips My Lips Have Kissed...

What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
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
Upon the glass and listen for reply,
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.
Thus in winter stands the lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone,
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.

Edna St. Vincent Millay
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11 comments:

  1. mareymercy7/20/2006 6:54 AM

    Oh, this is so melancholy, and so lovely. Thanks for posting it.

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  2. bee7/20/2006 7:28 AM

    the last two lines pretty much broke my heart.

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  3. Cyn Bagley7/20/2006 10:04 AM

    Yes, Millay is a wonderful poet. I have not come across this poem before. Thank you.

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  4. Jen Rouse7/20/2006 11:33 AM

    I was just reading that poem yesterday, when looking for suitable material for this week's post. I ended up picking something by Donne. You must have good taste in poetry :)

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  5. Verity7/20/2006 12:45 PM

    Oh, how poignant. I live in fear of that moment arriving, and of knowing it.

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  6. Jim Brock7/20/2006 4:44 PM

    I love how quickly Millay can turn from the sentimental to the terribly honest, to make a true accounting.

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  7. Joyce Ellen Davis7/20/2006 8:50 PM

    At one time, when I was about 20 or so, I decided to memorize as many of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poems as possible. This was one of those I memorized and can still tell it to you be heart. By heart! What a great choice!

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  8. Ceebie7/20/2006 9:07 PM

    Wow...What a sad poem of longing and loss...Thank you for sharing

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  9. January7/20/2006 10:44 PM

    Amazingly honest poem. Thanks for sharing this treasure.

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  10. Karoda7/20/2006 11:22 PM

    ah, this one i want to stick in a book that i know i'll read years from now...reading it makes me feel old now.

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  11. Granny Fran7/24/2006 11:43 PM

    Thank you for doing such a great job of continuing my education! And you have gorgeous flowers also.

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Good to hear from you!

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