Be Sure my Coming was a Sharp Offense

Name: Be Sure my Coming was a Sharp Offense
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores the themes of existence, mortality, and the inherent struggles of life. The speaker reflects on the pain and difficulty of both birth and death, suggesting that their arrival into the world was a burden to their mother and that leaving it will also be challenging. The imagery of a "grassy gauntlet" symbolizes the trials faced during life, while the mention of "awful spears" evokes the harsh realities of existence. The speaker grapples with the concept of life as a transaction, questioning the value of their brief existence. They express a sense of irony in the idea that life, despite its costs and struggles, is a debt that cannot be fully repaid. The tone oscillates between resignation and defiance, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death while also confronting the complexities of living. The poem ultimately serves as a meditation on the human condition, emphasizing the tension between the joy and pain of life, and the inescapable nature of mortality. The speaker's reflections reveal a deep awareness of the transient nature of existence and the emotional weight that accompanies it.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1921 · Genre: Poetry, Existentialism, Lyric · 144 words

First lines

Be sure my coming was a sharp offense

And trouble to my mother in her bed; And harsh to me must be my going hence, Though I were old and spent and better dead;

Between the awful spears of birth and death

I run a grassy gauntlet in the sun; And curdled in me is my central pith, Remembering there is dying to be done. O Life, my little day, at what a cost

What this Textopian page supports

Be Sure my Coming was a Sharp Offense is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1921 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1921 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Existentialism, Lyric, Modernism, Philosophical
Length: 144 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of life, death, and existential reflection.
Existentialism — The poem delves into the human condition, questioning the value and cost of life.
Lyric — The personal and emotional expression of the speaker aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
Modernism — The poem reflects modernist themes of disillusionment and the complexity of human experience.