Few Come this Way

Name: Few Come this Way
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of fear, indecision, and the struggle between the familiar and the unknown. It reflects on the reluctance of individuals to confront their past and the darkness that accompanies it. The imagery suggests a journey into a metaphorical space where one must face their inner turmoil and unresolved issues. The speaker notes that few are willing to venture into this darkness, not because they are deterred by it, but due to the fear of confronting what they have left behind. The darkness symbolizes the weight of past decisions and the emotional baggage that individuals carry. The mention of "palsied Indecision" highlights the paralysis that can result from fear, suggesting that the act of fleeing from one's past does not lead to true escape. As the poem progresses, the tension between the desire for new experiences and the pull of the old becomes evident. The figure of Venture represents the possibility of new beginnings, yet the cold grip of fear remains a constant presence. The struggle to reconcile the past with the present is a central conflict, illustrating the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty of moving forward. Ultimately, the work captures the essence of the human experience—navigating the interplay between fear, memory, and the pursuit of new opportunities. It emphasizes the importance of confronting one's past in order to embrace the future, suggesting that true growth requires facing the darkness rather than avoiding it.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1936 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Lyrical · 94 words

First lines

Few come this way; not that the darkness

Deters them, but they come

Reluctant here who fear to find, Thickening the darkness, what they left behind

Sucking its cheeks before the fire at home, The palsied Indecision from whose dancing head

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Few Come this Way is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1936 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1936 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Lyrical, Philosophical, Narrative
Length: 94 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Confusing

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of fear, indecision, and the human experience.
Modernist — The poem reflects modernist themes of existentialism and the complexity of human emotions.
Lyrical — The writing style is expressive and personal, characteristic of lyrical poetry.
Philosophical — The poem delves into philosophical questions about choice and the nature of existence.