Burial by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Name: Burial
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of death, nature, and the desire for a unique burial. The speaker expresses a preference for an aquatic grave rather than a traditional burial site. The imagery of the sea evokes a sense of freedom and connection to nature, contrasting with the confinement of earth. The speaker's body is envisioned as part of the ocean, suggesting a longing for dissolution into the natural world rather than a static resting place. The speaker's contemplation of death is visceral, highlighting the physicality of decay and the inevitability of being consumed by nature. The mention of "terrible fishes" introduces a sense of fear and fascination with the natural processes of life and death. This duality reflects a complex relationship with mortality, where the speaker both fears and embraces the idea of being part of the cycle of life. The poem's tone oscillates between morbid curiosity and a celebration of the natural world. The desire for an aquatic burial symbolizes a rejection of societal norms surrounding death, favoring a return to the elemental forces of nature. The imagery of the sea serves as a metaphor for the vastness of existence and the interconnectedness of all living things. Ultimately, the work invites readers to reflect on their own perceptions of death and the afterlife, challenging conventional notions of burial and the finality of death. The speaker's vivid imagination and bold assertions create a powerful meditation on the relationship between the body, nature, and the inevitability of mortality.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1940 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Romanticism · 107 words

First lines

Mine is a body that should die at sea And have for a grave, instead of a grave

Six feet deep and the length of me, All the water that is under the wave!

And terrible fishes to seize my flesh, Such as a living man might fear,

And eat me while I am firm and fresh,- Not wait till I've been dead for a year!

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Burial is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1940 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1940 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism, Existentialism
Length: 107 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of death and burial through lyrical language.
Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Romanticism — The poem reflects romantic themes of nature and individual emotion, particularly in its contemplation of death.
Modernism — The poem's innovative style and focus on existential themes align with modernist literature.