Czecho-Slovakia

Name: Czecho-Slovakia
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem reflects on the struggles and suffering of a nation, personifying it as an "unhappy land" in need of healing and restoration. The speaker expresses a deep desire to provide comfort and aid, likening their efforts to gathering medicinal balm from Gilead, a biblical reference symbolizing healing. The imagery of cleansing wounds and nurturing strength underscores a sense of compassion and urgency. However, the speaker grapples with the harsh reality that true healing is elusive. They lament the scarcity of genuine mercy and the commercialization of honor and allegiance, suggesting that integrity has been compromised. The metaphor of the "barking of a fox" implies deceit and betrayal, indicating that self-preservation often takes precedence over noble ideals. The poem contrasts the speaker's noble intentions with the prevailing atmosphere of moral decay and opportunism. The mention of Peter warming himself in the servants' hall serves as a stark reminder of the disparity between those in power and the suffering populace. The imagery of thorns and the crowing cock evokes a sense of foreboding, hinting at betrayal and the cyclical nature of suffering. Ultimately, the work encapsulates a poignant commentary on the challenges of healing a wounded nation, highlighting the tension between compassion and the harsh realities of human nature. The speaker's yearning for a better future is tempered by the recognition of the obstacles that stand in the way of true restoration.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Political Commentary, Lyric · 152 words

First lines

If there were balm in Gilead, I would go To Gilead for your wounds, unhappy land, Gather you balsam there, and with this hand, Made deft by pity, cleanse and bind and sew

And drench with healing, that your strength might grow, (Though love be outlawed, kindness contraband)

And you, O proud and felled, again might stand;

But where to look for balm, I do not know. The oils and herbs of mercy are so few; Honour's for sale; allegiance has its price; The barking of a fox has bought us all; We save our skins a craven hour or two.

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Czecho-Slovakia is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1923 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1923 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Political Commentary, Lyric, Modernism, Social Critique
Length: 152 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
Political Commentary — The themes address national identity and the struggles of a nation, reflecting on social and political issues.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on the state of the land and its people.
Modernism — The style reflects modernist themes of disillusionment and complexity in societal issues.