Count them Unclean

Name: Count them Unclean
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of sorrow, isolation, and the human condition. The speaker expresses a deep sense of grief, characterized by tears that are deemed "unclean," suggesting a feeling of shame or unworthiness associated with their emotional state. The act of weeping is portrayed as both a personal and communal experience, as the speaker acknowledges their connection to others who also suffer. The speaker desires a temporary reprieve from their sorrow, seeking solitude to process their emotions. They anticipate emerging from this state of mourning, marked by physical signs of grief, such as reddened eyes and a thick mouth. This transformation hints at a return to the world, where the speaker hopes to engage in life again, contributing to the collective human experience. The poem juxtaposes the speaker's internal struggle with the external world, highlighting a sense of shared humanity. The speaker recognizes their role in the lives of others, feeling both a part of their journey and burdened by their own inability to express hope or joy. The imagery of "firing our bridges" suggests a destructive impulse, indicating a desire to sever ties with the past or with certain relationships, while also acknowledging the interconnectedness of human experiences. Ultimately, the work reflects on the tools of grief and sorrow that individuals carry, emphasizing that while they may not build a perfect world, they leave behind the emotional weight of their experiences. The poem captures the complexity of human emotions, the struggle for connection, and the desire for understanding amidst personal turmoil.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Modernist Literature · 148 words

First lines

Count them unclean, these tears that turn no mill, This salty flux of sorrow from the heart; Count them unclean, and grant me one day still

To weep, in an avoided room apart. I shall come forth at length with reddened lid

Transparent, and thick mouth, and take the plough. That other men may hope, as I once did; That other men may weep, as I do now. I am beside you, I am at your back

Firing our bridges, I am in your van; I share your march, your hunger; all I lack

What this Textopian page supports

Count them Unclean is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1928 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1928 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Modernist Literature, Confessional Poetry, Romanticism
Length: 148 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of sorrow, grief, and shared human experience through lyrical language.
Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Modernist Literature — The themes of existential sorrow and the fragmented human experience align with modernist literary movements.
Confessional Poetry — The intimate exploration of personal grief and emotional vulnerability fits the confessional poetry genre.