Gone in Good Sooth

Name: Gone in Good Sooth
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of absence, longing, and the impact of loss. The speaker reflects on the profound emptiness left by a loved one who is no longer present, emphasizing that even dreams fail to bring the person back. The imagery evokes a sense of desolation, as the speaker navigates a world that feels devoid of joy and connection. The poem begins with a stark acknowledgment of the loved one's absence, suggesting that their presence has been so integral that even shadows and night seem to lack vibrancy without them. The speaker describes a scene filled with movement and life, where maskers and dancers engage in revelry, yet this liveliness contrasts sharply with their own internal sorrow. As the speaker ascends a marble stair, they encounter remnants of the past—a pink camellia-bud and a silver comb—symbols of beauty and intimacy that now feel hollow and scentless. This juxtaposition highlights the pain of memory, where once cherished objects now serve as reminders of what has been lost. The poem captures the struggle of reconciling with absence, illustrating how the speaker's surroundings, though alive with activity, are overshadowed by their grief. The emotional weight of the speaker's journey is palpable, as they confront the reality of solitude and the enduring impact of love that has faded away.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1931 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 132 words

First lines

Gone in good sooth you are: not even in dream

You come. As if the strictures of the light, Laid on our glances to their disesteem, Extended even to shadows and the night;

Extended even beyond that drowsy sill

Along whose galleries open to the skies

What this Textopian page supports

Gone in Good Sooth is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1931 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1931 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism, Modernism, Elegy
Length: 132 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem characterized by its use of meter, rhyme, and vivid imagery.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
Romanticism — Themes of longing and beauty reflect the ideals of Romantic literature.
Modernism — The poem's exploration of subjective experience aligns with modernist themes.