Black Hair you'D Say she Had

Name: Black Hair you'D Say she Had
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem presents a vivid depiction of a female bird characterized by her striking black features, including her hair-like crest and dark eyes. The speaker observes the bird's physical attributes and notes her non-predatory nature, emphasizing her vulnerability. The bird's urgent gaze and desperate calls, which are beyond human hearing, suggest a deep emotional state, possibly related to her role in nurturing her young. The speaker reflects on the bird's situation, urging her to focus on her responsibilities as a mother rather than her own struggles. The imagery of hatching eggs and nurturing offspring highlights themes of beauty, creation, and the cyclical nature of life. The speaker encourages the bird to embrace her role, suggesting that while she may feel haggard, her efforts will lead to the birth of beauty that will eventually leave her. The poem contrasts the bird's nurturing instincts with the male's carefree behavior, illustrating a dynamic of dependency and sacrifice. The speaker's advice to the bird underscores the tension between personal desires and maternal duties, ultimately advocating for resilience and acceptance of her circumstances. The work encapsulates themes of motherhood, beauty, and the complexities of existence within the natural world.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Romanticism · 304 words

First lines

Black hair you'd say she had, or rather

Black crest, black nape and black lore-feather

What this Textopian page supports

Black Hair you'D Say she Had is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1920 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Romanticism, Symbolism, Modernism
Length: 304 words
Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores themes of nature and emotional depth.
Nature Writing — The poem vividly describes a bird and its environment, focusing on the beauty and intricacies of nature.
Romanticism — The themes of beauty, longing, and emotional expression align with Romantic ideals.
Symbolism — The imagery of the bird and its actions symbolize deeper emotional and existential themes.